Zuffa Boxing have announced that Conor Benn has signed a new multi-fight deal with them following his victory over Regis Prograis last Saturday.Zuffa Boxing have signed a long-term broadcast deal with Paramount+
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Re: Zuffa Boxing have signed a long-term broadcast deal with Paramount+
Zuffa Boxing have announced that Conor Benn has signed a new multi-fight deal with them following his victory over Regis Prograis last Saturday.-
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Re: Zuffa Boxing have signed a long-term broadcast deal with Paramount+
He will surely be at WrestleMania this weeekend and they will show him and do a shoutout no doubt.
Re: Zuffa Boxing have signed a long-term broadcast deal with Paramount+
They already have. Dudes at my job talk about him like a potential star, but realize he's not on the level of a Haney, Stevenson or Boots.
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Re: Zuffa Boxing have signed a long-term broadcast deal with Paramount+
Conor Benn signs five-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing – but what now?
Conor Benn is a mercenary no more. Call him a Zuffa company man.
After walking away from longtime promoter Matchroom Boxing to sign a one-fight deal that he parlayed into a win over Regis Prograis in April, Benn has locked into a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing that should carry the 29-year-old through much of the prime of his remaining career.
Benn, 25-1 (14 KOs), a welterweight from Essex, England, and son of two-weight titleholder Nigel Benn, signed a reported five-fight deal that was announced on Zuffa Boxing’s social media channels Friday.
“Our visions were aligned,” Conor Benn said of the new promotional union. “Our goal remains the same – to get that world title, but more importantly, to get people the fights that they want. Give people the megafights. If you guys want it, you guys can get it.”
Public details of the contract and immediate plans for Benn were limited, though in a joint appearance with Benn on ESPN’s “First Take” on Friday, Zuffa Boxing CEO and president Dana White described it as “a two-and-a-half-year, five-fight deal.”
White, who, along with Saudi Arabian financier and General Entertainment Authority chairman Turki Alalshikh, launched Zuffa Boxing in January, has vowed to create the new boxing promotion in the image of the UFC – the other major combat sports interest he presides over – and continues to steadily building the promotion’s roster.
“We’re ready to put on some big fights,” White said in the video announcement of Benn’s deal on Zuffa Boxing’s socials.
Precisely what that means for Benn isn’t yet known, but it’s clear what he wants. After rebounding from a unanimous decision loss with a win in the rubber match with fellow scion of British boxing royalty Chris Eubank Jnr, Benn rode his rising fame to a one-off deal with Zuffa, a solid win over a shopworn former titleholder in Prograis and is now hoping to speak into existence a matchup with current WBC welterweight titleholder Ryan Garcia.
“Of course it’s the priority, getting that Garcia fight done,” Benn said in a Friday interview with Sky Sports. “But, listen, I’m not short of options. There’s a lot of fighters calling me out, big names calling me out.
“So, God willing, we get the Garcia fight done for the WBC world title. You know, I’m mandatory now – I’m in the No. 1 position for that belt, and I’ve worked extremely hard to get to that position. But again, if Ryan don’t want it, then there’s plenty of fish out there.”
Conor Benn explains what his priorities are, having signed with Zuffa Boxing
pic.twitter.com/MYc7hE5L2k
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) April 17, 2026
Benn may already be fishing when it comes to targeting Garcia, 25-2 (20 KOs), for a megafight. Garcia is aligned with Golden Boy Promotions, whose CEO and chairman Oscar De La Hoya has frequently feuded with White. Even if the salve of a massive payday for all soothed hurt feelings, Benn and Garcia might still have a sanctioning body problem to solve.
As part of his UFC-style vision, White has attempted to build Zuffa as an independent ecosystem, ignoring boxing’s traditional four major sanctioning bodies. But White has tried to both have and eat his cake, the best example being a Zuffa bait-and-switch that resulted in the IBF stripping cruiserweight titleholder Jai Opetaia after his March win over Brandon Glanton.
If the WBC reacts similarly, and if White doesn’t play nice with De La Hoya – which he has rarely deigned to do with anyone he considers a rival – a Benn-Garcia fight may be dead on arrival.
Benn has his big contract. But whether the big fights White is promising him are also on the way is far less certain.
Conor Benn is a mercenary no more. Call him a Zuffa company man.
After walking away from longtime promoter Matchroom Boxing to sign a one-fight deal that he parlayed into a win over Regis Prograis in April, Benn has locked into a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing that should carry the 29-year-old through much of the prime of his remaining career.
Benn, 25-1 (14 KOs), a welterweight from Essex, England, and son of two-weight titleholder Nigel Benn, signed a reported five-fight deal that was announced on Zuffa Boxing’s social media channels Friday.
“Our visions were aligned,” Conor Benn said of the new promotional union. “Our goal remains the same – to get that world title, but more importantly, to get people the fights that they want. Give people the megafights. If you guys want it, you guys can get it.”
Public details of the contract and immediate plans for Benn were limited, though in a joint appearance with Benn on ESPN’s “First Take” on Friday, Zuffa Boxing CEO and president Dana White described it as “a two-and-a-half-year, five-fight deal.”
White, who, along with Saudi Arabian financier and General Entertainment Authority chairman Turki Alalshikh, launched Zuffa Boxing in January, has vowed to create the new boxing promotion in the image of the UFC – the other major combat sports interest he presides over – and continues to steadily building the promotion’s roster.
“We’re ready to put on some big fights,” White said in the video announcement of Benn’s deal on Zuffa Boxing’s socials.
Precisely what that means for Benn isn’t yet known, but it’s clear what he wants. After rebounding from a unanimous decision loss with a win in the rubber match with fellow scion of British boxing royalty Chris Eubank Jnr, Benn rode his rising fame to a one-off deal with Zuffa, a solid win over a shopworn former titleholder in Prograis and is now hoping to speak into existence a matchup with current WBC welterweight titleholder Ryan Garcia.
“Of course it’s the priority, getting that Garcia fight done,” Benn said in a Friday interview with Sky Sports. “But, listen, I’m not short of options. There’s a lot of fighters calling me out, big names calling me out.
“So, God willing, we get the Garcia fight done for the WBC world title. You know, I’m mandatory now – I’m in the No. 1 position for that belt, and I’ve worked extremely hard to get to that position. But again, if Ryan don’t want it, then there’s plenty of fish out there.”
Conor Benn explains what his priorities are, having signed with Zuffa Boxing
pic.twitter.com/MYc7hE5L2k— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) April 17, 2026
Benn may already be fishing when it comes to targeting Garcia, 25-2 (20 KOs), for a megafight. Garcia is aligned with Golden Boy Promotions, whose CEO and chairman Oscar De La Hoya has frequently feuded with White. Even if the salve of a massive payday for all soothed hurt feelings, Benn and Garcia might still have a sanctioning body problem to solve.
As part of his UFC-style vision, White has attempted to build Zuffa as an independent ecosystem, ignoring boxing’s traditional four major sanctioning bodies. But White has tried to both have and eat his cake, the best example being a Zuffa bait-and-switch that resulted in the IBF stripping cruiserweight titleholder Jai Opetaia after his March win over Brandon Glanton.
If the WBC reacts similarly, and if White doesn’t play nice with De La Hoya – which he has rarely deigned to do with anyone he considers a rival – a Benn-Garcia fight may be dead on arrival.
Benn has his big contract. But whether the big fights White is promising him are also on the way is far less certain.
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Re: Zuffa Boxing have signed a long-term broadcast deal with Paramount+
They signed heavyweight Sirenko too. Too bad Sergey is already 40. Always liked him
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Re: Zuffa Boxing have signed a long-term broadcast deal with Paramount+
Dana White Responds To Roy Jones Jr Criticism Of Zuffa Boxing
Dana White responded Sunday night to recent criticism from Roy Jones Jr. regarding Zuffa Boxing’s growing influence in the sport. Jones recently questioned some of the changes Zuffa is bringing into boxing and suggested fighters could eventually find themselves needing to “kiss these guys’ ass” to secure major opportunities.
White was asked directly about the comments following Zuffa Boxing 6 at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas.
“I don’t know whose ass you got to kiss around here to get fights,” White said at the post-fight press conference on Sunday night. “Probably got to be Ish or Harrison or somebody.”
White said he respected Jones but disagreed with the idea that fighters are being mistreated or politically controlled under the Zuffa structure.
“I think that if you asked any of the fighters, they would tell you that we treat them very well, treat them like professional athletes.”
White also pointed toward the company’s relationships with fighters and managers as evidence that the promotion’s approach has been different from traditional boxing systems.
“Any of the interactions that I’ve had through Ish and Harrison has been nothing but respectful.”
Jones’ criticism came during a recent interview in which he questioned whether Zuffa’s long-term influence could alter how boxing historically operates. White suggested resistance from some established boxing figures was inevitable as the promotion continues expanding.
“Everybody’s entitled to their opinions,” White said. “I’m sure when you come into a business and you start to cause disruption, you’re going to ruffle some feathers. It’s going to happen.”
Zuffa Boxing has spent the last several months building cards around younger prospects and undefeated fighters facing one another earlier than is traditionally common in boxing. White has repeatedly said the promotion plans to continue expanding internationally while building toward larger events in 2027.
Dana White responded Sunday night to recent criticism from Roy Jones Jr. regarding Zuffa Boxing’s growing influence in the sport. Jones recently questioned some of the changes Zuffa is bringing into boxing and suggested fighters could eventually find themselves needing to “kiss these guys’ ass” to secure major opportunities.
White was asked directly about the comments following Zuffa Boxing 6 at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas.
“I don’t know whose ass you got to kiss around here to get fights,” White said at the post-fight press conference on Sunday night. “Probably got to be Ish or Harrison or somebody.”
White said he respected Jones but disagreed with the idea that fighters are being mistreated or politically controlled under the Zuffa structure.
“I think that if you asked any of the fighters, they would tell you that we treat them very well, treat them like professional athletes.”
White also pointed toward the company’s relationships with fighters and managers as evidence that the promotion’s approach has been different from traditional boxing systems.
“Any of the interactions that I’ve had through Ish and Harrison has been nothing but respectful.”
Jones’ criticism came during a recent interview in which he questioned whether Zuffa’s long-term influence could alter how boxing historically operates. White suggested resistance from some established boxing figures was inevitable as the promotion continues expanding.
“Everybody’s entitled to their opinions,” White said. “I’m sure when you come into a business and you start to cause disruption, you’re going to ruffle some feathers. It’s going to happen.”
Zuffa Boxing has spent the last several months building cards around younger prospects and undefeated fighters facing one another earlier than is traditionally common in boxing. White has repeatedly said the promotion plans to continue expanding internationally while building toward larger events in 2027.
Re: Zuffa Boxing have signed a long-term broadcast deal with Paramount+
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Re: Zuffa Boxing have signed a long-term broadcast deal with Paramount+
Zuffa Boxing fighters free to reach for ‘The Ring’
While there has been some hung-up thinking that fighters belonging to the new Zuffa Boxing promotion are bound strictly to bouts staged by the Las Vegas-based organization, the truth is beginning to reveal itself.
Zuffa-linked fighters are free to fight for cards sponsored by Saudi Arabia boxing financier Turki Alalshikh’s The Ring, such as the one coming May 23 at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
Respected trainer Brian “BoMac” McIntyre will corner Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight Jamar Talley, 6-0 (5 KOs), versus Egypt’s Basem Mamdouh on the undercard of the DAZN-streamed card topped by three-belt heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk’s defense against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven.
“They’ve already got a big push behind him,” McIntyre said of Zuffa placing Talley, 26, prominently on its Paramount+ card. “By letting him fight on these big ‘Ring’ cards, too, he’s going to look good and be seen… I think we’re going to mop this guy out.”
Talley debuted on Zuffa’s February 1 card, knocking out Devonte Williams in the second round.
Zuffa Boxing previously placed its unbeaten welterweight Conor Benn and Houston’s promising super-lightweight Breyon Gorham, 22-0 (17 KOs), on the April 11 The Ring card at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Netflix.
Benn defeated former 140lbs champion Regis Prograis and Gorham scored a fifth-round TKO.
As the Zuffa Boxing cards grow out of the Meta Apex in Las Vegas to destinations including London and The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, the promotion directed by Nick Khan and UFC CEO/President Dana White will offer its own title fights.
Its roster is actively and rapidly expanding with more high-profile signees, including recent champions and title contenders Jai Opetaia, Richardson Hitchins and Edgar Berlanga.
And while White has said he prefers to not work with other promoters and sanctioning bodies as Zuffa has lobbied for what it describes as an enhanced Ali Act allowing it to rank its own fighters, Alalshikh is invested in both Zuffa Boxing – reportedly as a 60% investor – while Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund owns a reported 10 per cent portion of DAZN.
Alalshikh fully owns The Ring Magazine.
The Ring has long awarded its own belt to the respective division’s lineal champion.
So there is real financial incentive to pursue bouts such as Benn versus Golden Boy Promotions’ WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia and former IBF champion Opetaia versus Premier Boxing Champions’ newly unified cruiserweight champion David Benavidez on “The Ring” cards.
It’s why Zuffa Boxing has been so strongly linked to recruiting champions like unbeaten four-division champion Shakur Stevenson and three-division welterweight champion Devin Haney – fighters who’ll secure major multi-fight contracts expecting to meet the best talent available.
And as the early bout placement proves, it’s not only about keeping the fighters restrained to the confines of Zuffa Boxing, but presenting opportunities worldwide to see who truly is the best in The Ring.
While there has been some hung-up thinking that fighters belonging to the new Zuffa Boxing promotion are bound strictly to bouts staged by the Las Vegas-based organization, the truth is beginning to reveal itself.
Zuffa-linked fighters are free to fight for cards sponsored by Saudi Arabia boxing financier Turki Alalshikh’s The Ring, such as the one coming May 23 at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
Respected trainer Brian “BoMac” McIntyre will corner Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight Jamar Talley, 6-0 (5 KOs), versus Egypt’s Basem Mamdouh on the undercard of the DAZN-streamed card topped by three-belt heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk’s defense against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven.
“They’ve already got a big push behind him,” McIntyre said of Zuffa placing Talley, 26, prominently on its Paramount+ card. “By letting him fight on these big ‘Ring’ cards, too, he’s going to look good and be seen… I think we’re going to mop this guy out.”
Talley debuted on Zuffa’s February 1 card, knocking out Devonte Williams in the second round.
Zuffa Boxing previously placed its unbeaten welterweight Conor Benn and Houston’s promising super-lightweight Breyon Gorham, 22-0 (17 KOs), on the April 11 The Ring card at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Netflix.
Benn defeated former 140lbs champion Regis Prograis and Gorham scored a fifth-round TKO.
As the Zuffa Boxing cards grow out of the Meta Apex in Las Vegas to destinations including London and The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, the promotion directed by Nick Khan and UFC CEO/President Dana White will offer its own title fights.
Its roster is actively and rapidly expanding with more high-profile signees, including recent champions and title contenders Jai Opetaia, Richardson Hitchins and Edgar Berlanga.
And while White has said he prefers to not work with other promoters and sanctioning bodies as Zuffa has lobbied for what it describes as an enhanced Ali Act allowing it to rank its own fighters, Alalshikh is invested in both Zuffa Boxing – reportedly as a 60% investor – while Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund owns a reported 10 per cent portion of DAZN.
Alalshikh fully owns The Ring Magazine.
The Ring has long awarded its own belt to the respective division’s lineal champion.
So there is real financial incentive to pursue bouts such as Benn versus Golden Boy Promotions’ WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia and former IBF champion Opetaia versus Premier Boxing Champions’ newly unified cruiserweight champion David Benavidez on “The Ring” cards.
It’s why Zuffa Boxing has been so strongly linked to recruiting champions like unbeaten four-division champion Shakur Stevenson and three-division welterweight champion Devin Haney – fighters who’ll secure major multi-fight contracts expecting to meet the best talent available.
And as the early bout placement proves, it’s not only about keeping the fighters restrained to the confines of Zuffa Boxing, but presenting opportunities worldwide to see who truly is the best in The Ring.
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Re: Zuffa Boxing have signed a long-term broadcast deal with Paramount+
Zuffa is slowly taking over
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Re: Zuffa Boxing have signed a long-term broadcast deal with Paramount+
Nasheed 'Sugar Sheed' Smith signs for Zuffa Boxing
Zuffa Boxing has confirmed the signing Washington DC light heavyweight prospect Nasheed “Sugar Sheed” Smith.
The 6ft 2ins southpaw trains out of Barry Hunter’s Headbangers Gym and is already 10-0 (7 KOs) as a pro.
Hunter trains and manages the 25-year-old, and the DC guru has worked with the likes of Gervonta Davis, Lamont Peterson, Isaac Dogboe, Adrien Broner, Austin Trout, and Sharmba Mitchell.
Smith, whose sporting journey started with taekwondo, found Hunter’s gym at the age of 10 and became a decorated amateur, winning the 2022 National Golden Gloves and the USA National Championships.
Six of his early wins in the professionals have come in the opening two rounds and, in his last fight, he went the distance to win a decision over Michael Nelson.
“Washington, DC, has produced many great fighters, and I am proud to follow in that tradition,” Smith said. “This is the start of the ‘Sugar Sheed’ era, and I’m looking to take over the light heavyweight division.”
Zuffa Boxing has confirmed the signing Washington DC light heavyweight prospect Nasheed “Sugar Sheed” Smith.
The 6ft 2ins southpaw trains out of Barry Hunter’s Headbangers Gym and is already 10-0 (7 KOs) as a pro.
Hunter trains and manages the 25-year-old, and the DC guru has worked with the likes of Gervonta Davis, Lamont Peterson, Isaac Dogboe, Adrien Broner, Austin Trout, and Sharmba Mitchell.
Smith, whose sporting journey started with taekwondo, found Hunter’s gym at the age of 10 and became a decorated amateur, winning the 2022 National Golden Gloves and the USA National Championships.
Six of his early wins in the professionals have come in the opening two rounds and, in his last fight, he went the distance to win a decision over Michael Nelson.
“Washington, DC, has produced many great fighters, and I am proud to follow in that tradition,” Smith said. “This is the start of the ‘Sugar Sheed’ era, and I’m looking to take over the light heavyweight division.”