White Defends Garcia-Benn Stoppage After Backlash

Dana White defended the controversial stoppage that ended Ryan Garcia's Welterweight title defense against Conor Benn at Zuffa Boxing on Saturday night.

Garcia stopped Benn in the second round at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, dropping the British challenger with a right hand and finishing him with follow-up punches before referee Tom Taylor waved off the fight at 1:25 of Round 2. MMA Mania reports that the stoppage drew immediate criticism because Benn was still standing and appeared to be covering up, even if he was not throwing back.

White Shrugs Off Early Stoppage Debate

At the post-fight press conference, White acknowledged Taylor may have stepped in slightly early but stood behind the referee's call. White reportedly showed little interest in second-guessing a decision to protect a fighter who had just been knocked down hard and was absorbing unanswered shots. Benn himself did not protest the stoppage.

The win marked Garcia's first successful title defense and lifted his record to 26-2 (1 NC). Benn suffered the first knockout loss of his career and dropped to 25-2. Garcia had not stopped an opponent since knocking out Oscar Duarte in December 2023.

Whether Taylor intervened a few punches too soon will remain a topic of debate, but Garcia appeared well on his way to finishing the fight regardless. The victory cements his position atop the Welterweight division heading into 2027.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Dana White shrugs off questionable Garcia-Benn stoppage — ‘It wasn’t horrible’ | Zuffa Boxing