Zuffa Boxing’s biggest signing thus far is set to make his company debut.
Australia’s Jai Opetaia confirmed that he will return to the ring on March 8, to defend his lineal, RING and IBF cruiserweight championship against an opponent to be determined. The bout will mark his U.S. debut and will take place at Meta APEX in Las Vegas, which hosted the company’s launch show on Friday.
“I’m making my Zuffa debut on March 8 here in the (Meta) APEX,” Opetaia confirmed to hosts Molly Qerim and Mike Coppinger during the post-fight show.
The bout will also serve as the anticipated U.S. debut for the 30-year-old southpaw from Sydney.
Opetaia, 29-0 (23 KOs), and Zuffa made waves with the announcement of his signing earlier this week. He is currently the company’s only reigning champion, and confirmed that his deal provides him the freedom to compete both on Zuffa shows as well as part of Turki Alalshikh’s blockbuster Riyadh Season cards.
The latter will allow Opetaia to achieve his career-long dream of becoming undisputed cruiserweight champion.
“I think Zuffa is gonna be a new chapter,” insisted Opetaia. “They’re here whether people like it or not. These are new avenues. You can see up and coming stats. It’s something to be proud of.
“I’m convinced these guys will get me these big fights. I want to become Zuffa’s first undisputed champion.”
Opetaia has made seven defenses of the lineal and RING 200lbs championship, a run that has included two tours as the IBF titlist. He gained that status with his July 2022 points victory over Mairis Briedis in his current hometown of Broadbeach, Australia.
One IBF title defense followed before he was stripped of the belt for facing unranked Ellis Zorro on a December 2023 Riyadh Season show, in lieu of an ordered rematch with Briedis, his mandatory challenger at the time.
Opetaia and Briedis eventually ran it back, with the undefeated Aussie once again claiming a 12-round, unanimous decision victory in their May 2024 sequel in Riyadh.
His two fights with Briedis marked the only times that Opetaia has gone the distance in eight championship fights. He has stopped each of his last four opponents, including a violent 8th round knockout of unbeaten IBF mandatory challenger Huseyin Cinkara last December 6 in Broadbeach.
At the time, Opetaia was a free agent aside from his career-long affiliation with local promoter Tasman Fighters. The team has since partnered with Zuffa, headed by UFC president Dana White whom Opetaia has quickly grown to admire after being in his presence during a weeklong business trip to Vegas.
“I’ve gained more respect for Zuffa Boxing and Dana White being here in Vegas,” insisted Opetaia. “Being in this environment has made me respect Dana White even more.”
