CONOR BENN’s blockbuster deal with Zuffa Boxing has infuriated one of the UFC’s biggest stars.
The British welterweight inked an eight-figure deal with ‘s Saudi-backed promotion last week – to the shock of the entire sport.
Conor Benn inked a shock deal with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing last weekCredit: ZUFFA BOXING
Benn’s one-fight deal with Zuffa will earn him over £11million ($15m)Credit: PA
The TKO Group, which owns the and the , is running Zuffa along with Saudi conglomerate Sela.
Benn’s one-fight deal with Zuffa is understood to be worth just over £11MILLION ($15m), the type of money the TKO Group has only shelled out to UFC poster boy .
And the massive payday he’s set to receive isn’t lost on current UFC star .
During a recent episode of his podcast , ‘Suga’ said: “If they really paid him $15 million, it’s like — It’s crazy how you put in so much work in the UFC.
“[You] put in so much work in the UFC to build this name, create this character, be this star, and I’m not making f***ing $15 million a fight.”
“But, it’s also a business. If they think that’s a good business move and that guy’s going to bring in money, I get it.
“I don’t take anything personal in business. Business is business.”
Zuffa’s acquisition of Benn has reignited the fighter pay debate in ‘ top promotion, who pay combatants under 20 per cent of its annual revenue.
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What particularly blew O’Malley away about Benn’s Zuffa deal is the fact that he’s not an established star in the USA.
He said: “For me, it’s so hard to believe. I did see it, I heard it, I’ve been told.
“Tim told me, ‘Did you see that?’ That doesn’t mean it’s true. I don’t know. It could very well be true.
“I can’t imagine it being true. Zuffa Boxing, they’re paying out — I don’t even know who is!
“Supposedly, he’s a pretty big name in boxing, but I’ve never f***ing heard of him.”
Benn, 29, ditched Matchroom, his promoters of TEN YEARS, to sign with Zuffa – with his decision devastating former promoter .
UFC star Sean O’Malley was left gobsmacked by how much Zuffa Boxing are paying Conor BennCredit: Getty
But he’s defended his decision, telling Boxing King Media : “It was the best decision for me and my family.
“And ultimately, an offer I couldn’t turn down.
“I’m doing this for my family. It’s an offer that you’d be mentally ill to turn down. I’m blessed to be in the position I’m in.
“I’m happy to be in the position I’m in. My career’s again taken another turn; a direction I didn’t think it would.
“But I want to maintain my relationship with Matchroom, specifically Eddie Hearn; Frank Smith.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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