Demetrious
Johnson believes Dana White wanted to show his competitors his
might by signing Conor Benn to Zuffa Boxing.
Benn, who is still far from the pinnacle of boxing, recently made
headlines by signing with Zuffa Boxing. Benn parted ways with
longtime promoter Eddie Hearn and signed with Zuffa overnight for
reportedly a $15 million one-fight deal.
According to Johnson, Benn’s signing is a flex from the
UFC head honcho. Johnson believes White isn’t concerned about
the sustainability of deals like Benn’s. “Mighty Mouse” believes
White just wanted to show his competitors what they are up against
by signing Benn for $15 million.
Because He Can
“$15 million for one fight is crazy,” Johnson said on YouTube.
“Because, what’s gonna happen after this fight? Is the $15 million
worth having Conor Benn? It’s the first time I’ve heard of him.
From what everybody tells me, he is a very good boxer. But is
Khamzat
Chimaev making $15 million? Is Ilia
Topuria making $15 million? Is Merab
Dvalishvili making $15 million? We don’t know because those
numbers are always hidden, but I truly believe it’s a flex from
Dana White paying Conor Benn $15 million… Dana White did it out of
spite. Dana White did it because he can do that.”