Conor Benn has joined Dana White's newly-established Zuffa Boxing venture, delivering a significant setback to promoter Eddie Hearn and his Matchroom stable.
The 28-year-old British fighter had been among Matchroom's most prominent attractions since making his professional debut under Hearn's guidance in 2016, at just 19 years old.
Over the past decade, the pair developed a professional partnership and a personal friendship that weathered considerable challenges.
White's promotional outfit launched this year with financial support from TKO Group, the parent company of UFC and WWE, alongside Saudi entertainment firm SELA.
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The UFC supremo has already engaged in public disputes with established boxing figures, including Hearn.
On Friday, Benn released a statement about his decision.
He said: "I’m filled with excitement and hunger for what’s ahead with Zuffa Boxing. I want the legacy fights, the biggest nights, the biggest stages.
"I fear no man at any weight, and I’m ready to give the fans the fights they’ve been calling for. I’m in my prime, and together we have bold, ambitious plans.”
Conor Benn has announced his shock new decision
|DANAWHITE
White added: “Conor Benn is an absolute beast and a superstar.
"He shows up every time and destroys people, and now some of the best fighters in the world are calling him out.
"He’s ready for a world title next and I can’t wait to see him compete in Zuffa Boxing.
"He’s going to be a huge addition to a growing stable of very talented boxers."
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Conor Benn has joined Dana White's newly established Zuffa Boxing venture
|GETTY
Zuffa Boxing intends to operate independently of boxing's established sanctioning organisations, bypassing the traditional WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF championship structure entirely.
The promotion has introduced its own title belt, with Jai Opetaia set to face Brandon Glanton for the inaugural Zuffa Boxing championship on March 8.
This arrangement casts doubt on whether Benn can fulfil his ambition of claiming a world title, particularly the WBC belt his father, Nigel, famously held.
However, fighters under the Zuffa banner will retain the opportunity to appear on Riyadh Season events and Ring Magazine cards in collaboration with Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh.
Five facts about boxing that fans might not know | GBNEWS/PABenn enters this new chapter following two middleweight encounters with Chris Eubank Jr, losing their initial April contest before emphatically winning the November rematch, flooring the 36-year-old twice in the closing round.
The fighter has expressed interest in returning to welterweight, a division where he maintains the WBC's top ranking despite not competing at 147 pounds for nearly four years.
Benn had planned to attend the T-Mobile Arena to witness Ryan Garcia's challenge for Mario Barrios' WBC welterweight title.
Both Garcia, 27, and Shakur Stevenson, 28, have been mentioned as potential opponents for Benn and are themselves linked with possible Zuffa moves.
Dana White's promotional outfit launched this year with financial support from TKO Group
|DANAWHITE
Benn's career appeared in ruins following a failed drug test in 2022, when he tested positive for clomiphene, a substance known to elevate testosterone levels.
UK Anti-Doping and the British Boxing Board of Control imposed a provisional ban, although Benn maintained his innocence throughout.
During this turbulent period, Hearn remained loyal to the son of British boxing royalty as Benn battled depression and suicidal thoughts.
The fighter relocated his career to America, competing in two catchweight bouts at 150 pounds while the doping case continued.
UKAD eventually lifted his suspension, permitting Benn to return to British soil for the Eubank contests, reportedly earning close to £20million.
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