Overview
- Zuffa Boxing and Jai Opetaia announced a promotional deal Friday via social media posts.
- The undefeated IBF and The Ring cruiserweight champion is 29-0 with 23 KOs and scored a December knockout of Huseyin Cinkara for his fourth straight stoppage.
- Zuffa plans 12 events in 2026, opening Jan. 23 with Callum Walsh vs. Carlos Ocampo streaming on Paramount+.
- The signing announcement did not reference Opetaia’s IBF belt, and ESPN reports it remains unclear whether he can continue competing for sanctioning‑body titles under this deal.
- A path to undisputed would likely require work with other promoters; the other champions include WBC titleholder Noel Mikaelian and unified WBO/WBA champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, who is slated to face David Benavidez in May.