Comments Thread For: Mick Francis insists "Zuffa will allow Jai Opetaia to unify"

[BoxingUpdates]

Jai Opetaia appears to be the exception to Zuffa Boxing's unwritten - but publicly stated - rule about not dealing with the sanctioning bodies.
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[DClefthook]

Strip Opetaia of the IBF belt now. No double dipping. He should be defending against his mandatories just like everyone else. Opetaia is relatively unknown in the western hemisphere and fighting for Zuffa won't raise his profile at all with true boxing fans. STRIP HIM NOW!!!

[dannyb54]

Jai defended against his mandatory on December 6, 2025. 1 month ago! Why would he be stripped of the title NOW.

[Jack_sh*t]

Strip Opetaia of the IBF belt now. No double dipping. He should be defending against his mandatories just like everyone else. Opetaia is relatively unknown in the western hemisphere and fighting for Zuffa won't raise his profile at all with true boxing fans. STRIP HIM NOW!!!

As dannyb54 has stated, he successfully made a mandatory defence last month. Under IBF rules he's now allowed a voluntary before taking his next mandatory. How would they strip him when he hasn't broken their rules?

[Moz_boxing]

He better has this black on white on paper and his lawyer triple checked the contract. TKO/UFC is very well known for making shady deals and even if a contract is in place not respecting it.

Jai would be the first boxer that would have his career messed up by Dana and his friends but he would be one of many including UFC fighters. It would not suprise me if they don't allow him to fight for sanctioning bodies and it ends up in a lawsuit and Jai not fighting anyone for the next few years.