Ajagba Stops Martin In Zuffa Boxing 3

The Zuffa Boxing 3 event took place on February 15, 2026, at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, and lived up to expectations as a high-action showcase. Streamed on Paramount+, the card featured eight bouts, with an impressive six ending inside the distance—reflecting Zuffa’s emphasis on explosive, fan-friendly heavyweight and prospect fights. Dana White’s presence ringside underscored the promotion’s growing push into boxing.

The main event delivered the biggest statement: Nigerian heavyweight Efe Ajagba (now 21-1-1, 15 KOs) stopped former IBF champion Charles Martin (now 30-5-1, 27 KOs) via fourth-round TKO at 1:11. Ajagba, coming off a controversial majority draw against Martin Bakole in May 2025, started cautiously but shifted gears in round 3, dropping Martin with a heavy right hand. In round 4, another clean right floored Martin again, leading to a referee stoppage as Ajagba swarmed. This marked Ajagba’s most significant win yet, boosting his contender status and likely positioning him for bigger opportunities in Zuffa’s heavyweight division.

Full Card Results

Main Card (9 p.m. ET, Paramount+)

• Heavyweight (10 rounds): Efe Ajagba def. Charles Martin via TKO (Round 4, 1:11)
Ajagba overcame early ring rust concerns (he weighed in heavier than usual) to dominate with power shots after a slow start. Martin, 39 and somewhat inactive, showed flashes with his southpaw left but couldn’t withstand the pressure.

• Light Heavyweight (10 rounds): Umar Dzambekov def. Ahmed Elbiali via KO (Round 2, ~0:57)
Described by many as a “KO of the Year contender,” Dzambekov’s brutal finish highlighted his rising power-punching profile and kept his undefeated record intact.

• Lightweight (8 rounds): Jaybrio Pe Benito def. Abel Mejia via TKO (Round 3, 0:48)
Pe Benito, an undefeated prospect, delivered a vicious stoppage, showcasing speed and precision against a game opponent.

Prelim Card (6 p.m. ET, Paramount+)

• Catchweight/Super Welterweight (8 rounds): Leo Ruiz def. Casey James Streeter via TKO (Round 4, 1:23)
Ruiz maintained his perfect record with a strong finishing sequence.

• Middleweight (8 rounds): Mark Beuke def. Antonio Woods via Split Decision (77-75, 75-77, 77-75)
One of the night’s rare decisions, with close scoring reflecting a competitive back-and-forth.

• Lightweight (6 rounds): Oswaldo Molina def. Joshua Clark via Unanimous Decision (60-54 x3)
Molina controlled the pace for a clear, if unspectacular, victory.

• Additional bout (details vary slightly across reports): Emiliano Alvarado def. Devin Gantt via TKO (Round 4)
Another stoppage adding to the card’s finish-heavy theme.

Key Takeaways and Implications

The card’s knockout rate—six of eight fights—aligned with Zuffa’s strategy of prioritizing entertainment over drawn-out decisions, differentiating it from traditional boxing promotions. Ajagba’s win stands out as the defining moment: it erased doubts from his prior draw/losses, showcased improved timing and aggression, and puts him on notice for top heavyweights or even Zuffa title contention. For Martin, the loss raises questions about age, chin durability, and activity level, potentially signaling the end of his relevance at the elite level.

Other standouts like Dzambekov and Pe Benito gained momentum as exciting prospects, while the prelims provided solid undercard value. With Zuffa’s next big boxing spotlight (including Jai Opetaia’s potential title fight on March 8), this event built excitement for the promotion’s heavyweight and crossover ambitions.