Conor Benn's First Zuffa Boxing Bout Confirmed Against Regis Prograis
In a major development in the boxing world, Conor Benn's first fight under the Zuffa Boxing banner has been officially announced. The British welterweight will face former two-time world champion Regis Prograis on April 11, 2026, at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This bout serves as the co-main event ahead of Tyson Fury's highly anticipated return against Arslanbek Makhmudov.
Shocking Split from Eddie Hearn's Matchroom
The announcement comes just one week after Benn's shocking departure from promoter Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing, a partnership that had spanned the entirety of his 10-year professional career. This split has dominated boxing headlines, particularly due to the deep personal and financial ties between Hearn and Benn. Hearn revealed he had lent the 29-year-old fighter "hundreds of thousands of pounds" during Benn's three-year absence from UK rings, a period triggered by two failed drug tests.
Benn's move to Zuffa Boxing is especially notable as the organisation is headed by UFC president Dana White, a direct rival of Eddie Hearn. White had launched a scathing verbal attack on Hearn just days before Benn's signing was confirmed, adding further intrigue to this promotional shift.
Return to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
The April 11 event marks Benn's return to the iconic Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where he fought bitter rival Chris Eubank Jr twice in 2025. Benn suffered his first professional defeat to Eubank Jr in April 2025, losing on points, but he dramatically avenged that loss with a victory in their November rematch. "Returning to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium again, where I made history against Eubank Jr, means everything to me," Benn stated in a press release. "My last fight there showed the world exactly who I am and what I'm about. Fighting on the biggest stages, in the biggest shows, I fear no one!"
Prograis: A Full-Circle Moment
Benn's opponent, 37-year-old American Regis Prograis, brings significant pedigree to the ring. A former WBA and WBC super-lightweight champion with a record of 30-3 and 24 knockouts, Prograis will move up in weight to face Benn, who holds a record of 24-1 with 14 KOs. Prograis noted the symbolic nature of the matchup, recalling that Benn was on his undercard during his last fight in London. "This is a full-circle moment for me," Prograis said. "But this circle will close with me teaching him a lesson on 11 April. He's not fighting some weight-drained super-middleweight. I am in shape and will bring home this victory."
Curious Timing and Future Implications
Benn's move to Zuffa Boxing raises interesting questions about his career trajectory. Despite recently calling out American fighters like Shakur Stevenson and Ryan Garcia—the latter of whom just won the WBC welterweight title—Benn finds himself paired with Prograis, an unexpected but formidable opponent. Moreover, Zuffa Boxing has announced plans to move away from traditional sanctioning bodies, introducing its own championship belts. This creates a potential conflict for Benn, who has long expressed a desire to fight for the WBC welterweight title now held by Garcia.
The April 11 event itself is a landmark occasion, featuring Fury's fifth comeback from retirement. Organised by Zuffa Boxing's co-owners Sela and TKO, the card will stream live on Netflix, despite Fury's usual association with Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions and DAZN. Reports this week indicate that Warren is claiming $1 billion in lost income from TKO and Sela, adding another layer of drama to this already captivating boxing saga.
