Zuffa deal runs through 2028 as White backs Benn after Prograis criticism
Dana White has signed Conor Benn to a five-fight deal running through 2028, backing him despite criticism of his win over Regis Prograis. The agreement positions Benn as a key name in Zuffa Boxing’s plans moving forward.
White confirmed Benn’s new agreement during an ESPN appearance, moving him from a one-fight deal into a two-and-a-half-year, five-fight commitment that keeps him tied to Zuffa through 2028.
None of that caution showed up in White’s tone. He spoke about Benn as a major asset and a fighter he believes belongs in big fights.
“The brother’s big time. I didn’t think he should have lost the fight that he lost,” White said, offering a clear endorsement of Benn’s standing.
White is talking about star power, not artistic wizardry. By calling him “big time,” White is telling the industry that Benn brings the “it” factor, with his ability to sell out stadiums (like Tottenham) and generate massive social media engagement.
Dana is using that phrase to justify the massive spend. He’s signaling to sponsors and broadcasters that Benn is a blue-chip asset, not just a one-off experiment.
In Dana-speak, “big time” means Benn is being fast-tracked to the mega-fights.”Instead of grinding through the welterweight rankings against dangerous contenders.
“That’s why I’m in the business right now, to make the fights that people want to see,” White said.
When White says he is making the fights “people want to see,” he is using the UFC playbook: ignore the technical criticism and focus on the brand.
Since this was the co-feature to Tyson Fury vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov on Netflix, White is looking at the raw viewership numbers, not the Reddit threads or the Twitter (X) backlash.
By acting like this was a massive success, he is trying to “will” Benn into being a superstar. If he admits the fight was a dud, he admits his $15 million investment was a mistake.
The real test of his “fights people want to see” claim will be what he does next. If he actually books Benn vs. Ryan Garcia, he can claim he’s giving the fans what they want. If he books another safe veteran, the “broken boxing” comments are going to start sounding very hypocritical.
