Overview
- Zuffa Boxing announced the deal Friday with a video of Opetaia saying he wants unification fights and an undisputed run.
- Opetaia is undefeated at 29-0 with 23 knockouts, holds the IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles, and is in his second IBF reign after a December stoppage of Huseyin Cinkara.
- Zuffa has not clarified whether Opetaia will compete for external titles, despite Dana White’s prior pledge to disregard sanctioning bodies and avoid routine cross-promotion.
- Unification would intersect with other titleholders and promoters, with Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez holding the WBO and WBA belts and scheduled to face David Benavidez in May, and Noel Mikaelian owning the WBC title.
- Tasman Fighters characterized the arrangement as a partnership with TKO, while questions persist about Opetaia’s belt status and non‑U.S. broadcast plans as Zuffa begins a 12‑event slate on Paramount+ starting Jan. 23.