Jai Opetaia has had his first fight of 2026 confirmed for the cruiserweight world champion from Australia and it is big news.
He remains one of Australia’s best fighters and has now signed with Turki Alalshikh and Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing and TKO organization.
He is the biggest signing they have made so far.
He will fight on Paramount Plus next up and here’s the confirmation of all details we know now:
- Jai Opetaia the undefeated IBF, The Ring, and lineal cruiserweight world champion from Australia is confirmed for the main event of Zuffa Boxing 04 (#ZuffaBoxing04).
- Date: March 8, 2026 (a Sunday; likely 9 PM ET start based on prior Zuffa events).
- Venue: Meta APEX arena in Las Vegas, Nevada (same as Zuffa’s earlier shows).
- Broadcast: Live on Paramount+.This marks Opetaia’s Zuffa Boxing debut and his first fight in the U.S.
- He will defend his cruiserweight titles (opponent TBA, though speculation points to potential unification vs. WBC champ Noel Mikaelian later or in follow-ups).
- Zuffa Boxing (the boxing arm tied to UFC/TKO/Dana White) signed Opetaia recently as a major addition, allowing belt defenses despite their initial stance on sanctioning bodies.
Big news for him and Zuffa Boxing and the entire sport.
Good that the Apex is being used a lot early on — they are obviously doubling down early doors on production on Paramount Plus.
To ensure that the UFC who are now promoting big boxing events get the production right and better than ever.
Better than HBO years ago in boxing.
Better than all the rest.
Roll on this fight.
