Overview
- The unbeaten Australian champion (28-0) faces 40-year-old mandatory challenger Huseyin Cinkara on Saturday at the sold-out Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
- The bout headlines Tasman Fighters’ new three-fight agreement with Stan Sport and streams internationally on UFC Fight Pass.
- Cinkara (23-0, 19 KOs), a German-born, Turkey-based contender, turned down a step-aside offer reportedly worth about $30,000 more than his roughly $70,000 purse.
- WBO/WBA titleholder Gilberto Ramirez has disparaged Opetaia and is pursuing a May fight with David Benavidez rather than a unification.
- Promoter Mick Francis says he plans to travel to Los Angeles after the fight to push the WBC winner of Badou Jack vs. Noel Mikaelian toward a unification bout.