Boxing

Jai Opetaia Becomes Dana White And Zuffa Boxing's First Major Signing

The best cruiserweight in the world becomes Dana White's new prize fighter
Jaren Kawada|
Jai Opetaia
Jai Opetaia | IMAGO / AAP

Zuffa Boxing officially has its first big star.

One week ahead of their first promotional event, Zuffa Boxing announced the signing of IBF and The Ring cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia on social media. Opetaia becomes the first fighter to sign with the promotion as an active world champion.

The 30-year-old confirmed the signing with a brief video statement.

"What's up everyone, it's Jai Opetaia," Opetaia said. "I'm signed with Zuffa Boxing now. Pumped for the future. Exciting times, man, let's get these big fights. Unification, undisputed soon. Let's go."

As The Ring champion, Opetaia is one of the 17 champions from the only rankings Zuffa Boxing has said it will recognize. Dana White recently said he would "get rid of the sanctioning bodies," making it unclear if Opetaia will defend his IBF title in Zuffa Boxing fights.

Opetaia, 29-0, has been a cruiserweight world champion since 2022, when he defeated then-champion Mairis Breidis by unanimous decision to claim his two belts. He has defended The Ring title seven consecutive times since, including a career-high three times in 2025.

The Aussie is coming off four consecutive knockout victories, each within the first eight rounds. His most recent victory, a thudding knockout of Huseyin Cinkara, left the latter hospitalized overnight.

Opetaia vacated the IBF title in 2023, but he gained it back within a matter of months. He has yet to relinquish The Ring title since capturing it with his win over Breidis.

Dana White signs first big boxing star

Dana White
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; UFC president Dana White during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

By joining White's organization, Opetaia immediately becomes the biggest name associated with Zuffa Boxing. Prior to his signing, Callum Walsh, who is headlining the promotion's first event against Carlos Ocampo, was the company's top pony.

Opetaia is now the leading candidate to headline Zuffa Boxing's first major event. The promotion has a multi-year network deal with Paramount+, with select events to potentially air on CBS.

White has repeatedly made it clear that he intends to invest in the next generation of boxing stars, but adding a champion like Opetaia gives Zuffa Boxing immediate relevance. The specifics of the deal have not yet been reported.

Zuffa Boxing has its first event confirmed for Jan. 23, but it does not have a filled-out roster yet. So far, only a handful of fighters are known to be associated with the promotion beyond those competing on 'Zuffa Boxing 01.'

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Jaren Kawada
JAREN KAWADA

Jaren Kawada is a combat sports writer who specializes in betting, with over five years of experience in boxing and MMA. When he is not covering the sport, Kawada is an avid MMA, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and boxing practitioner. Kawada has previous bylines with ClutchPoints, Sportskeeda MMA, BetSided and FanSided MMA. Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Kawada has a B.A. in Sports Media from Butler University and now resides in Denver, Colorado.

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