Dana White has signed up his first big name star for his new boxing venture ahead of their launch next week.
Zuffa Boxing has come in for criticism for arriving on the scene with an underwhelming debut event. Fans and media have had numerous critiques from the setting at the Apex to the hardly any advertisement for their main event bout between Callum Walsh and Carlos Ocampo.
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However, they have now come out swinging with the signing of IBF cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia. The Australian is one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, and has legitimate potential at heavyweight once he has unified his own division.
Who is Dana White? All you need to know about the CEO and President of the UFCDana White signs up Jai Opetaia for Zuffa BoxingTonight, with one week until their launch on Paramount+, Zuffa Boxing announced that they have signed the IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia. Australian outfit Tasman Fighters have said that it’s a ‘partnership’ between them and TKO, with boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh also involved.
“Hey what’s up everyone, it’s Jai Opetaia. I’ve signed with Zuffa Boxing now,” he said in a brief video to X. “I’m pumped for the future, exciting times, man. Let’s get these big fights over the line, unification and undisputed too, let’s go.”
Michael Francis, CEO of Tasman Fighters, added: “This is an incredibly exciting partnership for everyone involved. Jai Opetaia is already a world champion, but we firmly believe he is going to establish himself as a major name in the United States and beyond.
“This partnership puts him exactly where he belongs — on the biggest platforms, against the biggest opponents. Jai is leading the way for Australian boxing right now.
“He’s shown what’s possible with hard work, discipline and belief, and this is only the beginning. There are more developments ahead, and we’re extremely confident about what the future holds.”
Zuffa Boxing confirms full main card for debut eventWith just a week until fight night, Zuffa Boxing finally confirmed the full card for their debut in Las Vegas. Headlined by Walsh vs Ocampo, there will be a three-fight main card live on Paramount+, with further prelims likely.
The co-main event sees Misael Rodriguez and Austin Deanda battle it out, with the third fight between Julian Rodriguez and Cain Sandoval. The action will kick off at 9pm Eastern, 6pm on the West Coast and is exclusively on Paramount+.
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