A recent high-profile boxing agreement involving Conor Benn has ignited extensive discussions about compensation imbalances within combat sports. The substantial sum involved in Benn's contract, reportedly around $15 million for a single fight, far surpasses the earnings of many Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) athletes. This disparity has prompted prominent mixed martial arts (MMA) figures, such as Sean O'Malley and Michael 'Venom' Page, to question the divergent pay scales between boxing and MMA. The financial backing for this significant deal, as clarified by TKO Group Holdings executive Mark Shapiro, originates from a Saudi Arabian entity, underscoring the growing influence of external investments in shaping the economic landscape of major combat sporting events and potentially impacting the future of fighter remuneration.
Saudi Investment Fuels Boxing's High Stakes, TKO Clarifies Funding for Conor Benn's Deal
In a notable development in the combat sports world, Conor Benn's signing with Zuffa Boxing, announced on February 26, 2026, has brought to light the significant financial discrepancies between professional boxing and mixed martial arts. During TKO Group Holdings' quarterly earnings call, Mark Shapiro, a key figure within the organization, addressed concerns regarding the reported $15 million payment to Benn for a single fight. Shapiro explicitly stated that the substantial purse is not being funded by TKO's internal resources. Instead, the financial backing for this mega-deal, and other high-profile boxing events, comes from Sela, an entertainment company funded by the Saudi Arabian government, led by Turki Alalshikh. This arrangement mirrors previous collaborations, such as the Canelo vs. Crawford fight, where Sela acted as the primary financial supporter. These Saudi-backed events are poised to include a series of fight cards exclusively on Paramount+ and an estimated two to four 'super fights' annually, further solidifying Saudi Arabia's prominent role in the global boxing landscape. The upcoming Tyson Fury vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov bout on Netflix is another example of such ventures, operating under the Zuffa Boxing umbrella.
This revelation offers crucial insight into the evolving financial dynamics of professional combat sports. While TKO's financial health appears robust, the strategic utilization of external funding for such massive fighter payouts, particularly from entities like Sela, presents a nuanced challenge for the organization. The potential for these colossal boxing purses to highlight pay disparities could instigate broader discussions among UFC fighters about their own compensation structures. With highly restrictive contracts often in place, the balance between attracting top talent with lucrative deals and managing fighter expectations across both boxing and MMA remains a critical consideration for TKO's future trajectory.