Garcia vs. Benn Start Time, Full Fight Card Details!

Ryan Garcia will defend his WBC Welterweight title against Zuffa Boxing star, Conor Benn, later TONIGHT (Sat., Sept. 12, 2026) inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, which can be streamed on Paramount+. In the co-main event of the star-studded card, Ring Magazine and Zuffa Boxing Cruiserweight champion, Jai Opetaia, will battle it out against current WBC division kingpin, Noel Mikaelian.

What’s Hot:

Ryan Garcia seems to be well on his way to potentially becoming the next face of boxing, which is in need of a big star seeing as how Terence Crawford is now retired, and Canelo Alvarez may be nearing the end of his storied combat career. Garcia has the skills, looks and youth on his side, but some issues have hindered his progress. After defeating Devin Haney in a lop-sided win in 2024, “King Ry” was suspended for failing a post-fight drug test and his big win was ultimately overturned to a no contest (NC). He returned a year later and suffered a massive upset defeat at the hands of Rolando Romero. Nine months later, however, the speedy pugilist returned and was awarded a title fight, which he ultimately won against Mario Barrios to become the new WBC Welterweight champion of the world. Often accused of being immature — he’s 28 years old — Garcia once again played into that criticism for bailing on a planned fight week staredown against Benn, opting to play video games instead. And those are the antics that are somewhat hindering his progression up the superstar ladder. That’s not to say Garcia isn’t a star, but he can be so much more of he just tightens up the out of the cage behavior. Against Benn, he will be facing a hungry British brawler who is looking to lock down his first-ever major world title, so being on top of his game is a must.

Benn made history by becoming the first major boxing star to make the leap over to Zuffa Boxing, signing a major deal with the upstart promotion, which is now spearheading the promotional duties for this massive event. Benn made his name in his home country of England, with only two of his 26 pro fights taking place stateside. And while he did win the WBA Continental (Europe) welterweight title, winning the WBC strap would be next level, especially doing it against someone like Garcia. Benn does have big wins on his resume, specifically getting revenge against Chris Eubank Jr. the man who handed him his first-ever defeat in 2025. That, however, seems to be the biggest knock on “The Destroyer,” the lack of big-name conquests on his resume, while Garcia has consistently taking on the best of the best. By signing with Zuffa Boxing Benn looks to change all of that by taking part in the biggest fights possible, and this is as big as they get at the moment. A win here for the British slugger would send his stock to the moon and set him up for an even bigger payday moving forward. That said, Garcia is as skilled as they come and has proven that he is far from a one trick (left hook) pony. This fight has the makings of an all out war, and one man’s resume will bolster while the other’s will take a huge hit.

How The Undercard Looks:

135 lbs.: Mark Magsayo (29-2) vs. Andres Cortes (25-0)

Magsayo is the former WBC Featherweight champion and is currently on a five-fight win streak. He stopped Feargal McCrory in five rounds in his Zuffa debut last April and is the more experienced fighter who has faced off against higher-level opposition. The Filipino is a pressure fighter with a powerful right hand that has helped him secure 19 knockouts. He has also never been stopped in his career. As for Cortes, he is a high-volume, aggressive fighter who has climbed the ranks with wins over solid names like Xavier Martinez, Abraham Nova and Eridson Garcia. He called out Magsayo after that win and now that he has what he wanted, he has to walk the walk. Cortes will try to walk Magsayo down and outwork him with volume and body work. Magsayo has the edge in power, experience, and ring IQ and is a great counter-striker.

Heavyweight: Damazion Vanhouter (12-0) vs. Raphael Akpejiori (19-3)

In Heavyweight action, Damazion Vanhouter is a 21-year-old rising prospect looking to up his cred by taking out a veteran in Raphael Akpejiori, though he doesn’t exactly have the biggest name out there. Vanhouter has stopped most of his foes and is fresh off a first-round TKO of Raphael Murphy in May. Due to his power, he is being backed by Zuffa as a potential star in the land of the big men as he has nine knockouts, eight in the very first round. Akpejiori is a 35-year-old Nigerian with a 94% KO rate. He’s a big, rangy puncher but his losses to higher-level guys like Arslanbek Makhmudov and Mourad Aliev have taken him close to gatekeeper status.

130 lbs.: Oswaldo Molina (9-0) vs. Pablo Rubio (15-0)

Molina is a 19-year-old Mexican Zuffa Boxing prospect fighting out of Guadalajara, Mexico. He’s undefeated at 9-0 with and is coming off a solid win over Joshua Clark in a Zuffa appearance earlier in 2026. Rubio (29) is a durable pressure fighter who scored a notable unanimous decision over previously undefeated Adan Palma in March at Zuffa Boxing 4, this despite being dropped twice in the third round. He showed heart, composure, and the ability to rally to pull off the win. Rubio has the edge in experience, toughness, and proven ability to win ugly if needed. Molina has youth, length, and upside as a developing prospect so he may be a little bit over his head hear. You can expect Rubio to pressure and try to make it a war in order to overwhelm the much younger and inexperienced fighter.

168 lbs.: Abel Gonzalez (8-0) vs. Raul Salomon (16-4-1)

Gonzalez is a two-time National Golden Gloves champion as an amateur who has looked sharp as a pro with power with a 75% knockout rate. He’s been carefully matched but is moving up in competition after signing with Zuffa, which is customary for young and developing talent. Salomon, meanwhile. is a Mexican talent who is a powerful orthodox puncher with a high knockout percentage as 14 of his 16 wins have come by way of stoppage. He has more pro experience but is coming off a loss to Daniel Blancas in May 2026. Gonzalez has the higher ceiling, but Salomon brings legitimate power and the ability to make it messy or end it early. Expect Gonzalez to use boxing skills, footwork, and combinations to get the job done.

154 lbs.: Vlad Panin (24-2) vs. Dakota Linger (17-7-3)

Panin is a strong Belarus-born, aggressive slugger with recent stoppage wins over Shinard Bunch — who had never been stopped before. He’s on a solid run and carries real power as 16 of his 24 wins have come by way of knockout. Linger is a tough, experienced boxer known for upsets and incredible durability. He has a history of competing hard against better-regarded names and can make fights competitive and has finishing ability of his own. Panin is the clear favorite on skill alone and can land the heavier shots. Linger’s best chance is to weather the early storm, make it physical, and capitalize on any openings.

147 lbs.: Sean Garcia (7-1-1) vs. Abraham Morales (4-1)

Ryan Garcia’s little brother, Sean Garcia, will open up the event in a 147-pound fight against Abraham Morales. This is an interesting developmental fight for Garcia, who enters with a 7-1-1 record but only two knockouts, meaning he’s more likely to win through boxing and volume than overwhelming power. That said, he is still fairly young in his boxing career so he is still growing, developing and getting better after every fight. As for Morales, is 4-1 with two knockouts on his resume, and is the underdog coming into this event. He has a big chance to pull off an “upset” and get the ball rolling on his career in a big way. Ramirez has been through significantly more high-level fights, but his last two defeats raise legitimate questions. Rocha is younger and has an opportunity to beat a former champion who is trying to regain his position.

Who Needs A Win Badly:

147 lbs.: Jose Ramirez (29-3) vs. Alex Rocha (26-2)

Ramirez is a former unified 140-pound champion who is trying to establish himself again after consecutive decision losses to Devin Haney and Arnold Barboza Jr., which is nothing to really hang your head low over. That said, he needs a win in a big way to avoid a horrid three-fight losing streak. Rocha enters with a 26-2-1 record and is unbeaten in his last four fights. For Ramirez, getting inside and attacking Rocha’s body with his combinations is his best path to victory. Ramirez has been through significantly more high-level fights, but his last two defeats raise legitimate questions. Rocha is younger and has an opportunity to beat a former champion who is trying to regain his position.

Interest Level: 9/10

In the co-main event of the evening, another one of Zuffa Boxing’s big stars — and its first-ever Cruiserweight champion — Jai Opetaia will defend his titles against Noel Mikaelian, the current WBC Cruiserweight champion of the world. Opetaia is on a quest to prove he is the best fighter in 200-pound weight class, which has long been dominated by David Benavidez Jr. Speaking of which, Opetaia has been on the hunt for that fight, but since “Mexican Monster” wants nothing to do with a Zuffa Boxing event, that bout seems to be hard to come by at the moment. For now, Opetaia will look to take out one of the division’s other champion en route to becoming undisputed.

Mikaelian, though, isn’t about to roll over for anyone and is determined to take that spot himself. He is coming off a win over Badou Jack, which is perhaps the biggest win of his career. Of course, beating Opetaia — who is undefeated at 30-0 with 23 knockouts — would take the top spot. Mikaelian has a record of 28-3 with 12 knockouts, but since he has spent the majority of his career fighting in Europe, he doesn’t exactly have the big name appeal stateside. He is hoping to change all of that by toppling Opetaia, who is considered the best in the division.

The card is actually a very good one for Zuffa Boxing, and it bodes well for the promotion that they can promote a Ryan Garcia event, as the boxer could be looking for a new promoter down the road. Zuffa Boxing has already inked Shakur Stevenson, as well, so landing a whale like Garcia would only bolster its roster and growing reputation.

Enjoy the fights!

147 lbs.: Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn for Garcia’s WBC Welterweight title

200 lbs.: Jai Opetaia (30-0) vs. Noel Mikaelian (28-3) for Opetaia’s Zuffa Boxing and Ring Magazine cruiserweight titles
135 lbs.: Mark Magsayo (29-2) vs. Andres Cortes (25-0)
Heavyweight: Damazion Vanhouter (12-0) vs. Raphael Akpejiori (19-3)
130 lbs.: Oswaldo Molina (9-0) vs. Pablo Rubio (15-0)
168 lbs.: Abel Gonzalez (8-0) vs. Raul Salomon (16-4-1)
154 lbs.: Vlad Panin (24-2) vs. Dakota Linger (17-7-3)
147 lbs.: Jose Ramirez (29-3) vs. Alex Rocha (26-2)
147 lbs.: Sean Garcia (7-1-1) vs. Abraham Morales (4-1)

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