Regis Prograis: Conor Benn joins Dana White's Zuffa Boxing and prompts sharp warnings for Eddie Hearn

Conor Benn, the 29-year-old former Matchroom fighter, has signed with Dana White's Zuffa Boxing; regis prograis' status is unclear in the provided context. The move ends a 10-year promotional partnership and has drawn public rebukes from Johnny Nelson and Chael Sonnen, centring money, relationships and promotions.

Conor Benn signs with Dana White's Zuffa Boxing after decade with Matchroom

The 29-year-old Conor Benn left being promoted by Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing after a 10-year spell to sign with Dana White and Zuffa Boxing. Benn has said he wants "legacy fights" and "the biggest stages" as part of the decision that ends his career-long association with Matchroom.

Johnny Nelson: the switch will "really hurt" Eddie Hearn and is "a business move"

Johnny Nelson called Benn's choice a "business move" and said it will "really hurt" promoter Eddie Hearn. Nelson said "It's show business" and added he had thought Conor and AJ [Anthony Joshua] were among those with whom Hearn had a more personal relationship than with other fighters.

Nelson recounted an interview in which Hearn said, "I sent him a message saying, I think we should talk, " and that Conor declined. Nelson quoted Benn as saying, "I'm doing it for my family. I'm taking care of me. " Nelson argued many fighters have lost out by failing to make career moves and noted Benn has been offered $15m for his next fight, saying the deal left Benn "sorted" and "paid handsomely at a level that he probably would never have got to. "

Chael Sonnen warns the 46-year-old Eddie Hearn he "f***** up" in the Dana White saga

Former UFC star Chael Sonnen warned Eddie Hearn that he had "f***** up" by how he responded after Benn's move. Sonnen, who worked under Dana White during his UFC career, criticised Hearn for publicly suggesting Dana has a boss and said that was "a big mistake by Eddie. "

Sonnen said the swap — Benn signing a reportedly lucrative one-fight deal and ending his Matchroom association — followed days in which the Mixed Martial Arts head honcho had taken aim at Benn in a surprise series of digs. Sonnen concluded bluntly, "Dana White does not have a boss. "

Benn's November rematch win and UK Anti-Doping clearance framed the switch

Conor Benn's partnership with Hearn had enjoyed a high point in November when the fighter nicknamed "The Destroyer" defeated Chris Eubank Jr in a rematch. That victory came as part of Benn's resurgence after he was cleared by UK Anti-Doping to resume his career following failed drug tests in 2022.

Article accounts note the move to Zuffa came just months after Benn sought revenge on rival Chris Eubank Jr in that rematch as part of plans for a blockbuster fight path.

Zuffa structure, the one-fight deal and viewing notes

Benn's next fight will be under the umbrella of Zuffa, headed by Dana White — chief of the Ultimate Fighting Championship — and Turki Alalshikh, who is identified as Chairman of the Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority. The deal has been described as a reportedly lucrative one-fight agreement, with the $15m price-tag mentioned in multiple commentaries.

Separately, readers were directed to watch Caroline Dubois vs Terri Harper and Ellie Scotney’s undisputed title fight on April 5, and were told: Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player. regis prograis' involvement or reaction is unclear in the provided context.