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Zuffa Boxing

All articles tagged with #zuffa boxing

Chimaev floats one-off Zuffa Boxing bout with McGregor
sports1 month ago

Chimaev floats one-off Zuffa Boxing bout with McGregor

Khamzat Chimaev says he won’t permanently switch to boxing but would consider a one-off Zuffa Boxing bout against Conor McGregor for a big payday and fun, ahead of his UFC 328 middleweight title defense. He views McGregor as one of MMA’s top boxers, cites the blockbuster Mayweather fight as inspiration for the idea, and emphasizes it would be a marquee, money‑making crossover rather than a personal clash, contingent on Zuffa Boxing offering the chance.

Opetaia Captures Inaugural Zuffa Cruiserweight Crown in Vegas
sports2 months ago

Opetaia Captures Inaugural Zuffa Cruiserweight Crown in Vegas

Jai Opetaia defeated Brandon Glanton at Zuffa Boxing 4 in Las Vegas to win the first-ever Zuffa Cruiserweight title, dominating with smart footwork and clipped hooks while the bout featured controversial officiating that included point deductions. Opetaia, now the inaugural champion, remains a top cruiserweight contender even after being stripped of the IBF title, with The Ring belt still in his possession. The boxing landscape ahead includes May 2’s Ramirez vs. Benavidez for WBA/WBO titles, while other belts (WBC, IBF) are held or vacant as the division eyes undisputed status.

Opetaia outpunches Glanton to crown the first Zuffa Boxing champ
sports2 months ago

Opetaia outpunches Glanton to crown the first Zuffa Boxing champ

Jai Opetaia defeated Brandon Glanton by unanimous decision on a Zuffa Boxing card in Las Vegas, improving to 30-0 (23 KO) and becoming the first Zuffa Boxing world champion, though he was stripped of the IBF title amid a sanctioning-body dispute. The scores were 119-106 on all cards, with Opetaia docked a point for holding in the 11th. Glanton dropped to 21-4 and fought hard, even as he was penalized for holding and a low blow. Opetaia also holds the Ring Magazine cruiserweight title and voiced interest in unifying the division, potentially facing the Ramirez-Benavidez winner.

Opetaia vs Glanton Set for Unsanctioned Showdown After IBF Reversal
sports2 months ago

Opetaia vs Glanton Set for Unsanctioned Showdown After IBF Reversal

A planned cruiserweight title bout between Jai Opetaia and Brandon Glanton for Zuffa Boxing faced a sanctioning setback after the IBF backed away from sanctioning the fight and warned it could strip Opetaia of the IBF cruiserweight title if he competes for Zuffa’s belt, turning the bout into an unsanctioned affair while Opetaia still holds The Ring title. The event goes on at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas with Paramount+ streaming in the US; main card starts at 9 p.m. ET (prelims 6 p.m. ET), and the card features several undercard bouts plus expert predictions that Opetaia remains the favorite.

IBF steps back as Opetaia-Glanton bout becomes unsanctioned amid undisputed chase
sports2 months ago

IBF steps back as Opetaia-Glanton bout becomes unsanctioned amid undisputed chase

The IBF withdrew sanction for Jai Opetaia vs. Brandon Glanton, making Sunday’s bout an unsanctioned contest even though the Ring Magazine title and the new Zuffa cruiserweight belt remain involved; the IBF title could be vacated if the fight proceeds without sanctioning, opening a path to a vacant title for contenders like Billam-Smith or Masson, while Opetaia’s goal of undisputed status continues to hinge on future unifications and defenses.

Holloway: UFC Fighters Must Know Their Worth and Push for Better Pay
sports2 months ago

Holloway: UFC Fighters Must Know Their Worth and Push for Better Pay

Max Holloway urged UFC fighters to know their worth and unite for bigger pay after reports that Conor Benn could earn $15 million in a Zuffa Boxing showdown with Regis Prograis, arguing the Paramount+ deal and current pay structures demand collective leverage; he cited Demetrious Johnson and Georges St-Pierre in stressing fighters must band together rather than undercut each other.

Benn’s $15M Paycheck Backed by SELA, Not UFC Funds, TKO Says
business3 months ago

Benn’s $15M Paycheck Backed by SELA, Not UFC Funds, TKO Says

TKO Group Holdings executive Mark Shapiro said Conor Benn’s reported $15 million one‑fight deal with Zuffa Boxing isn’t paid by TKO; the purse is financed by SELA, the Saudi-backed backer. Benn’s signing is described as a one‑fight plan with potential marquee superfights in 2026, with White and Khan leading the effort and Benn not expected to fight regularly on Zuffa Boxing at this time.

Kellerman tells Hearn to mind his business as Zuffa Boxing reshapes boxing
sports3 months ago

Kellerman tells Hearn to mind his business as Zuffa Boxing reshapes boxing

Max Kellerman tells Eddie Hearn to mind his business after Hearn and Oscar De La Hoya criticized Zuffa Boxing, arguing the streaming-backed venture is expanding boxing and rendering the old-promoter status quo obsolete. He cites Conor Benn’s loss to Zuffa as evidence of the shift and warns rivals not to talk trash one day and cry the next. Kellerman frames Zuffa Boxing as the new game for boxing, though it’s financed by Saudi interests, signaling a major reorientation in how the sport is promoted and consumed.

Johnson says White’s $15M Benn signing is a bold flex
sports3 months ago

Johnson says White’s $15M Benn signing is a bold flex

Demetrious Johnson says Dana White’s $15 million signing of Conor Benn to Zuffa Boxing was a deliberate flex intended to show boxing can pay big and to fuel the boxing-vs-MMA pay debate. He notes UFC salaries are largely opaque, making direct comparisons difficult, and argues such a payday is exceptional for MMA stars, reflecting White’s ongoing rivalry with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom.

O’Malley questions $15M Benn deal, highlights UFC pay gap
sports3 months ago

O’Malley questions $15M Benn deal, highlights UFC pay gap

Sean O'Malley reacted to reports that Zuffa Boxing signed Conor Benn for a $15 million, one‑fight deal, saying he can’t believe such a payday exists and underscoring the pay gap between boxing stars and UFC fighters. He noted Benn’s fame, questioned the figure, and suggested the move could be driven by business or ego amid ongoing tensions between UFC/White and boxing figures.

Hearn Devastated as Benn Signs with Zuffa Boxing, Calls It a Betrayal
sports3 months ago

Hearn Devastated as Benn Signs with Zuffa Boxing, Calls It a Betrayal

Eddie Hearn says he’s devastated after Conor Benn left Matchroom for Zuffa Boxing, blaming himself for not keeping Benn loyal; Benn’s deal is reportedly eight-figures for a single fight, though numbers aren’t confirmed. Benn emphasized a long relationship with Matchroom and hopes Hearn stays involved, while Hearn says he could have matched the offer but Benn wasn’t interested. The move intensifies tensions with Dana White and signals a protracted rivalry between the promoters.