Benn defies concerns to make weight for Garcia bout

Conor Benn and Ryan Garcia both comfortably made the welterweight limit for their WBC title fight despite concerns at how they would fare on the scales.

Briton Benn, 29, weighed in at 10st 6lb (66kg) for Saturday's bout - half a pound heavier than the champion.

The official weigh-in took place behind closed doors at the UFC Apex on Friday, in front of about 50 members of the media, before a ceremonial event later in the day which will be open to the public.

Garcia has won 25 of his 28 professional contests, including 20 knockout victories, with two defeats and one no-contest. Benn has 25 wins - 14 by knockout - and one loss, and is fighting for his first world title.

American Garcia, 28, won the WBC belt with a dominant points victory over Mario Barrios in February and is making his first defence against Benn.

Much of the build-up this week has centred on how Benn would cope with returning to the 10st 7lb welterweight limit for the first time in more than four years.

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).

He has already said he will vacate the title and move back up in weight if he beats Garcia.

Benn had looked increasingly gaunt and drawn during fight week and told BBC Sport the cut had taken him to the "pits of hell".

But Benn smiled as his weight was announced and looked in good shape, surprising several observers who had expected the effects of the cut to be far more visible.

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.

Garcia has had problems on the scales before. He weighed more than three pounds over the light-welterweight limit before his fight against Devin Haney in 2024.

There was no such drama this time. Garcia sprinted towards the scales about 10 minutes after Benn and also looked at ease as he comfortably made weight.

The weight is particularly significant because of the contrasting styles.

Benn relies heavily on aggression, explosiveness and sustained pressure, while Garcia is a fast and dangerous counter-puncher who is comfortable catching opponents as they come forward.

Any draining effects of the cut could therefore leave Benn more vulnerable to Garcia's speed and powerful left hook, while also raising questions over whether the Briton can maintain his usual intensity over 12 rounds.

With no rehydration clause in place, Benn said he could weigh as much as 12st 7lb (80kg) by the time he steps into the ring on Saturday.

He is still an underdog against Garcia - a fighter with greater amateur pedigree and a more accomplished professional resume - but Benn's size and physical pressure could become one of his biggest advantages.