NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 18: (L-R) Ryan Garcia, Dana White and Conor Benn speak during the Zuffa Boxing Media Day at Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 at Jacob Javits Center on July 18, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for Fanatics)
Getty Images for Fanatics
The Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn fight was going to be enough of a draw to produce strong viewership for Paramount Plus and Zuffa Boxing on its own. Now we learn the world’s top cruiserweight Jai Opetaia will take on Noel Mikaelian in what feels like a title fight, but technically isn’t. On top of all that, the main event could have a serious weight issue as Benn appears to be dreading the cut to 147 pounds.
Here’s all of the information on the card and more. Let’s talk boxing.
Garcia vs. Benn Key Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Main event | Ryan Garcia (c) vs. Conor Benn, WBC welterweight title |
| Date | Saturday, September 12, 2026 |
| Venue | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas |
| Main card | 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT |
| Prelims | 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT |
| United States | Paramount+, no additional cost |
| UK and Ireland | DAZN pay-per-view |
| Promoters | Zuffa Boxing and Ring Magazine, co-promoted by Golden Boy |
| Bouts | Nine |
| Weekend | Mexican Independence Day |
| Odds | Garcia -370, Benn +275 |
Zuffa announced the co-main on August 4 and the full card on September 2. Garcia won the WBC welterweight title from Mario Barrios in February at this same building, and this is his first defense. Opetaia is 30-0 with 23 knockouts and last fought five months ago, stopping Brandon Glanton in his Zuffa debut. Mikaelian is 28-3 with 12 knockouts and a two-time world champion. Jose Ramirez and Alexis Rocha headline the prelims.
With Garcia and Benn, it’s going to come down to a few factors/questions. First, will Benn remain defensively responsible and avoid the vaunted left hook from Garcia? Two, will Garcia fire shots with both hands and make himself a more dangerous fighter? Third, how well will Benn handle coming down to 147 pounds for this fight?
We’ll see an answer to these three questions lead to a winner on Saturday night.
Before all of that happens, both men will need to make weight safely. Benn appears to be experiencing a “brutal” weight cut down to 147 pounds. He says he is moving up 168 pounds after this fight.
Here’s to hoping he can make the weight and do his part in putting on a good fight for fans and the sport.
Garcia vs. Benn Full Card
| Bout | Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ryan Garcia (c) vs. Conor Benn | 147 | WBC welterweight championship, 12 rounds |
| Jai Opetaia (c) (30-0) vs. Noel Mikaelian (28-3) | 200 | Ring and Zuffa cruiserweight titles, 12 rounds |
| Mark Magsayo (29-2) vs. Andres Cortes (25-0) | 135 | 10 rounds |
| Fourth main card bout | 8 p.m. ET start | |
| Jose Ramirez (29-3) vs. Alexis Rocha (26-2-1) | 147 | 10 rounds, prelim headliner |
| Four further preliminary bouts | 5 p.m. ET start |
With Opetaia and Mikaelian, the former gets a test, but the muddied belt situation that came after he signed with Zuffa takes some shine off the fight. As it is, this is still a fight between two of the best fighters in the division.
More Boxing Coverage
How to Watch Garcia vs. Benn
| Region | Platform | Cost | Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Paramount+ | Included with any plan | 8 p.m. ET main card |
| Worldwide outside UK and Ireland | Paramount+ | Included | 8 p.m. ET |
| UK and Ireland | DAZN | Pay-per-view or Ultimate Tier | 1 a.m. BST Sunday |
| Prelims | Paramount+ and DAZN | Same | 5 p.m. ET |
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