UFC owner defends $15 million Conor Benn Zuffa Boxing acquisition

The boxing circle is beginning to take notice of Zuffa Boxing following their acquisition of rising UK star Conor Benn. Many have questioned the large $15 million purse reportedly being handed to Benn for his one-fight deal with the promotion, but a UFC owner has defended the company’s decision.

Amid the chaos that ensued after Benn was announced as a new Zuffa Boxing talent, TKO Group Holdings president and COO Mark Shapiro fought off the critics. The 29-year-old’s transition from Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing to Hearn’s now-fierce rival, Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, caused turmoil online.

Many consider this the first of many big moves White and Zuffa will be making as the weeks unfold, but Conor Benn’s hefty $15 million agreement hasn’t gone down well with fans. Defending the company’s strategy, Shapiro likened the move to the recent Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford deal last year.

“Now, let me be clear: We signed [Conor Benn] for just one fight,” Shapiro said. “That’s all we’re talking about here. Of course, we hope eventually he’ll fight in our Zuffa Boxing series, exclusively on Paramount+, but for now, this is just one fight.”

“No different than what we did with Canelo and Crawford. No different than other superfights we are currently planning with SELA.”

Benn’s move is expected to cause a domino effect in boxing, with more notable names set to follow in his footsteps and jump ship to greener pastures under the new Zuffa Boxing regime.

As fans and fellow fighters continue to challenge Zuffa for paying over the odds for a one-fight Conor Benn deal, Mark Shapiro has hit back at the doubters. Shapiro confirmed that all of the costs will be bestowed upon SELA, as opposed to Zuffa Boxing. SELA is Turki Alalshikh’s Saudi Arabian-led entertainment company.

“I would add that the reported purse, which I believe was around — I’m not confirming or denying — that Conor will be paid for the superfight in 2026, is not TKO going out of pocket. SELA, led by our great partner Turki Alalshikh, is covering the purse. Once again, no different than exactly what he did with the Canelo-Crawford fight.”