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Benn makes weight
Confirmed
In Short: Conor Benn, the underdog in his first world title bout, gained 32 pounds in 12 hours to reach the welterweight limit, raising concerns about his condition.
Conor Benn, the underdog in his first world title bout, gained 32 pounds in 12 hours to reach the welterweight limit, raising concerns about his condition. The official weigh-in took place behind closed doors at the UFC Apex on Friday, but only 12 hours later, Benn revealed on social media that he had put on 32lbs to reach 12st 10lb (81.65kg). Benn had previously said he could weigh as much as 12st 7lb (80kg) by the time he stepped into the ring on Saturday.
American Garcia, 28, won the WBC belt with a dominant points victory over Mario Barrios in February and is making his first defense against Benn. Eggs, insults, and a champion with a fake beard—Garcia and Benn face off in a bout that has seen Benn's condition become a central focus of the build-up. Benn has already said he will vacate the title and move back up in weight if he beats Garcia.
During fight week, Benn looked increasingly gaunt and drawn, telling BBC Sport the cut had taken him to the 'pits of hell.' However, he smiled as his weight was announced at the official weigh-in. A handful of undercard fighters weighed in after Benn while Garcia was still nowhere to be seen, prompting questions about whether the Californian was having difficulties making the limit. Benn, 29, weighed in at 10st 6lb (66kg) for Saturday's bout—half a pound heavier than the champion.
Speaking at a ceremonial event in front of fans later on Friday, Benn already looked noticeably bigger, his face and shoulders having filled out. His two fights against Chris Eubank Jr were both at middleweight, with Benn weighing 11st 2lb (71kg) for the first and 11st 5lb (72kg) for the rematch. For his win over Regis Prograis in April, Benn weighed 10st 10lb (69kg).
Ryan Garcia (left) began his professional career at super-featherweight, and much of the build-up this week has centered on how Benn would cope with returning to the 10st 7lb welterweight limit for the first time in more than four years. Benn's handlers have spent years hiding the scab, and now Ryan is picking at it, with Benn's lone prayer being to turn this into an immediate bar fight before his depleted gas tank catches fire.
What's confirmed
- Conor Benn, the underdog in his first world title bout, gained 32 pounds in 12 hours to reach the welterweight limit, raising concerns about his condition. The official weigh-in took place behind closed doors at the UFC Apex on Friday, but only 12 hours later, Benn revealed on social media that he had put on 32lbs to reach 12st 10lb (81.65kg). Benn had previously said he could weigh as much as 12st 7lb (80kg) by the time he stepped into the ring on Saturday.
- American Garcia, 28, won the WBC belt with a dominant points victory over Mario Barrios in February and is making his first defense against Benn. Eggs, insults, and a champion with a fake beard—Garcia and Benn face off in a bout that has seen Benn's condition become a central focus of the build-up. Benn has already said he will vacate the title and move back up in weight if he beats Garcia.
- During fight week, Benn looked increasingly gaunt and drawn, telling BBC Sport the cut had taken him to the 'pits of hell.' However, he smiled as his weight was announced at the official weigh-in. A handful of undercard fighters weighed in after Benn while Garcia was still nowhere to be seen, prompting questions about whether the Californian was having difficulties making the limit. Benn, 29, weighed in at 10st 6lb (66kg) for Saturday's bout—half a pound heavier than the champion.
- Speaking at a ceremonial event in front of fans later on Friday, Benn already looked noticeably bigger, his face and shoulders having filled out. His two fights against Chris Eubank Jr were both at middleweight, with Benn weighing 11st 2lb (71kg) for the first and 11st 5lb (72kg) for the rematch. For his win over Regis Prograis in April, Benn weighed 10st 10lb (69kg).
- Ryan Garcia (left) began his professional career at super-featherweight, and much of the build-up this week has centered on how Benn would cope with returning to the 10st 7lb welterweight limit for the first time in more than four years. Benn's handlers have spent years hiding the scab, and now Ryan is picking at it, with Benn's lone prayer being to turn this into an immediate bar fight before his depleted gas tank catches fire.
What's still developing
- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.