Conor Benn’s reported $15 million Zuffa Boxing deal is back in the spotlight after UFC champion Sean Strickland threatened to walk away from the promotion over fighter pay.
Fans were quick to bring up Benn’s money, questioning why Dana White can hand out that kind of payday in boxing while UFC fighters are still arguing over what they get paid.
It is a situation World Boxing News warned was coming before Benn signed with White, and the latest complaint from Strickland shows why those concerns were raised in the first place.
Strickland Threatens to Quit
Strickland made his feelings clear on social media after becoming frustrated with the money being offered for his next fight.
“I gotta be honest unless things change with the UFC Im kinda over it,” Strickland wrote.
“McGregor makes 30 million to fight for 30 second and they dont want to pay us a fraction of it.
“Contemplating just going to 205 knocking out my contract and scrapping with @jakepaul
“That sounds fun.”
Strickland did not mention Benn, but it didn’t take long for fans to make the comparison.
One observer brought up Benn’s reported $10 million to $15 million agreement while claiming Strickland was being asked to fight for less than $1 million.
Whether that figure is accurate or not, the point being made was clear. Fans are watching boxers sign deals worth millions under White while UFC fighters continue questioning their own pay.
WBN Warned of the Pay Divide
In March 2025, WBN reported Oscar De La Hoya’s prediction that UFC fighters would revolt once White started handing out huge boxing purses.
Eight months later, WBN covered Chris Padilla and Uros Medic pleading for $50,000 performance bonuses following knockout victories at UFC Vegas 111.
Neither received the award, despite Padilla revealing that his mother was living in a trailer.
Arman Tsarukyan also explained how taxes, management fees and training expenses could leave fighters with very little after months of preparation.
“You prepare for two or three months and end up at zero,” Tsarukyan said.
“If not for sponsorships, I’d barely be earning anything.”
Three months later, Benn left Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing for a Zuffa agreement reportedly worth $15 million for one fight.
Benn subsequently upgraded that agreement to a multi-fight contract, although the financial terms were not disclosed.
Obviously, Saudi money was behind Benn’s original deal, but that doesn’t make the questions about the pay divide go away.
UFC’s Billion-Dollar Question
The UFC entered 2026 with a seven-year Paramount broadcasting agreement worth $7.7 billion, averaging $1.1 billion annually.
White has since doubled traditional performance bonuses from $50,000 to $100,000, but why not put more money into the fighters’ guaranteed purses instead?
Fighters should not have to beg for bonuses after winning when they have already spent thousands preparing for a fight.
Historical financial evidence has placed UFC fighter compensation below 20 percent of revenue, although an exact current figure has not been established publicly.
With the UFC bringing in that kind of television money, the question of how much fighters actually receive is not going away.
Conor Benn Faces Scrutiny
TKO president Mark Shapiro previously explained that Benn’s original reported purse was funded by Saudi-backed Sela rather than coming directly from TKO.
Benn cannot be blamed for taking the money, and nobody should expect him to turn down a deal worth that much.
But the same man overseeing UFC fighters’ complaints is also building a boxing promotion capable of offering purses most of those fighters can only dream about.
Benn had never won a world title when he reportedly secured $15 million for one appearance. Strickland has reached the top of the UFC and is now talking about leaving because of money.
WBN warned this could happen before Benn signed, and it was never going to take long for UFC fighters and fans to start asking questions.
White can keep handing out extra bonuses, but that doesn’t solve the argument over guaranteed pay.
As long as boxers are collecting millions under Zuffa while UFC fighters believe they deserve more, Benn’s deal will keep coming up.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Read full bio.
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