Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn Press Stirs Chaos

Tension Flares at Fanatics Fest 2026

During Saturday’s Fanatics Fest 2026, Dana White was forced into damage control after Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn escalated their long‑standing rivalry into a near‑physical altercation on stage. The two fighters, who had already traded insults once the microphones were live, stood up and squared off, prompting White to intervene and break up the confrontation. After the incident, White quipped, “I’m getting too old for this sh‑t,” while the crowd exhaled. The episode highlighted how volatile the buildup to their upcoming fight has become.

The Fight’s Announcement and Venue

Earlier this week, organizers confirmed that Garcia will face Benn on September 12 at T‑Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event is set to honor the Mexican Independence weekend, traditionally reserved for UFC Noche, which will now be pushed back. The announcement positions the bout as a high‑profile boxing showcase rather than an official Zuffa Boxing card. It also underscores the growing crossover between boxing promoters and the UFC’s expanding reach.

Promotional Affiliations and Rift

Benn, who has signed a multi‑fight deal with Zuffa Boxing, is now under White’s promotional umbrella despite his past differences with Golden Boy Promotions, the firm that manages Garcia. White’s willingness to push forward with the fight signals a shift in how boxing events are organized within the UFC ecosystem. The split between the two promotional groups adds an extra layer of drama to what is already a charged rivalry.

The press conference, originally meant to be a routine media session, instead turned into a volatile showdown that had to be broken up by the UFC CEO. White’s quick response prevented a more serious incident and kept the event from unraveling. As the September date approaches, the Boxing world will watch closely to see if the drama on stage will translate into a decisive bout at T‑Mobile Arena.