Conor Benn to Face Regis Prograis in Zuffa Boxing Debut on Tyson Fury’s Netflix Comeback Card
A new chapter in boxing’s evolving promotional landscape begins in London.
Conor Benn will make his debut under Zuffa Boxing against former two-division champion Regis Prograis in the co-main event of Tyson Fury’s return bout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The event, promoted by The Ring, will stream live on Netflix.
The announcement marks the first major test of Zuffa Boxing, the newly launched venture spearheaded by UFC president Dana White. And it signals an aggressive push to establish Benn as one of the faces of the promotion.
A High-Stakes Debut
Benn (24-1) enters the bout after a heated rematch with Chris Eubank Jr. in November, a rivalry that captured widespread attention in British boxing circles. Now, he steps into a different spotlight — not only as a contender, but as a marquee signing in a promotional shake-up that has stirred debate across combat sports.
Earlier this year, Benn parted ways with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing to sign a reported one-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing worth $15 million. The figure alone sent shockwaves through both boxing and mixed martial arts communities, prompting public reactions from fighters including Sean O’Malley and Demetrious Johnson, who questioned the financial disparity compared to most UFC contracts.
For White, the signing represents a statement of intent. For Benn, it’s an opportunity to prove he belongs among elite names under a global streaming platform.
Prograis Brings Experience and Power
Standing across from Benn will be Regis Prograis (30-3), a seasoned former WBA and WBC champion known for his aggressive southpaw style and knockout power. At 37, Prograis remains a dangerous presence at 140 pounds.
He recently halted a two-fight skid with a decision victory over Joseph Diaz in August, stabilizing his standing in a competitive super lightweight division. The bout with Benn is contracted at 140 pounds — a slight move upward for Prograis in terms of recent activity, but still within his established championship range.
For Benn, who has primarily campaigned at welterweight, the clash presents both a stylistic and physical challenge. Prograis’ experience in world title fights and his durability in high-pressure moments could test Benn’s composure in his promotional debut.
Fury Headlines a Global Event
The evening will be headlined by Tyson Fury’s comeback bout against Arslanbek Makhmudov, a heavyweight contest designed to reassert Fury’s dominance and reintroduce him to fans following a period of uncertainty about his future.
But it is Benn’s position in the co-main event that underscores the faith Zuffa Boxing is placing in him. Sharing the stage with one of Britain’s most recognizable sporting figures, in a stadium setting and on a global streaming platform, amplifies both the opportunity and the scrutiny.
Netflix’s involvement further signals a shift in boxing’s distribution model. Major fight nights are increasingly finding homes on digital platforms, reshaping how global audiences access marquee events.
More Than Just a Fight
The Benn-Prograis matchup carries layers beyond rankings and records. It serves as an early indicator of how Zuffa Boxing intends to operate — blending high-profile signings, stadium events and crossover promotional strategies drawn from the UFC’s playbook.
For Benn, victory would validate the investment and silence critics questioning the scale of his deal. A loss, however, would invite sharper scrutiny about whether the promotional gamble was premature.
Prograis, meanwhile, has little to lose and much to gain. Upsetting Benn on such a platform could reinsert him into championship conversations and reestablish his reputation among the division’s elite.
As boxing navigates a period of fragmentation and reinvention, this fight stands as a microcosm of the sport’s shifting power dynamics — new promoters, new platforms, and fighters navigating lucrative but high-pressure deals.
When the lights come up at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the focus may be on Fury’s return. But in many ways, the evening’s most revealing moment could unfold one fight earlier — when Conor Benn steps into the ring under a new banner, with the weight of expectation firmly on his shoulders.
