In an exciting announcement that is sure to get boxing fans buzzing, Dana White took to social media on Tuesday to confirm that Jai Opetaia and Brandon Glanton will face off for The Ring and Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight titles on March 8 in Las Vegas. This bout promises to be a thrilling main event as it will be streamed live on Paramount+, featuring a 12-round clash between Australia’s unbeaten Opetaia (29 wins, 0 losses, with 23 KOs) and Atlanta’s Glanton (21 wins, 3 losses, with 18 KOs), all taking place at the UFC's Meta APEX Performance Center.
At just 30 years old, Opetaia has emerged as a standout addition to the Zuffa Boxing roster since its inception last year, and he is widely recognized as the top cruiserweight in the sport today. In a recent update from the International Boxing Federation (IBF), it was confirmed that Opetaia still holds their cruiserweight title, with no indications from him or his team about vacating it. Meanwhile, Glanton, who is currently ranked at number 15 by the IBF, qualifies for a shot at Opetaia's belt; however, it remains unclear whether the title will be on the line according to Zuffa Boxing's official statement.
Initially, Zuffa Boxing, led by UFC president and CEO Dana White, suggested that they would not recognize any titles from established organizations such as the IBF, WBA, WBC, or WBO during their events. However, White recently acknowledged that fighters will not be required to give up their sanctioned belts to compete for Zuffa Boxing titles, opening the door for more competitive matchups.
Interestingly, Zuffa Boxing has chosen to recognize The Ring titles, partly due to the involvement of Turki Alalshikh, head of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority and co-owner of The Ring, within Zuffa Boxing's leadership team. This partnership adds a layer of prestige to their fights.
Opetaia has successfully defended his IBF title four times since reclaiming it in May 2024, most notably winning a unanimous decision against Latvia's Mairis Briedis in a rematch held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, Glanton, 33, made headlines recently when he stopped former WBA light heavyweight champion Marcus Browne after the sixth round in Lagos, Nigeria, on October 1. Prior to that, he faced defeat by unanimous decision against former WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith in April at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Currently, The Ring ranks Glanton as the 10th contender for Opetaia's title, making this upcoming matchup one that could significantly shift the landscape of the cruiserweight division.
For those who follow boxing closely, this event is definitely one to mark on your calendars. Will Opetaia continue his undefeated streak, or can Glanton pull off an upset? It's bound to be a gripping encounter, and I invite you to share your thoughts on this matchup in the comments below. Do you think Glanton stands a chance against the formidable Opetaia? Let's discuss!
