Oleksandr Usyk Could Ink With Zuffa Following Opetaia

Zuffa Boxing has made a major statement in its early rollout by signing undefeated IBF and The Ring cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia to a promotional deal, marking one of the first big acquisitions for Dana White’s new boxing promotion. Opetaia, who holds an impeccable 29‑0 record with 23 knockouts and recently scored a knockout win in December 2025, becomes the first reigning world champion to join the Zuffa Boxing roster, giving the upstart organization instant credibility with a proven elite performer. Opetaia has publicly expressed confidence that the partnership with Zuffa Boxing will help him pursue unification fights and ultimately achieve undisputed world champion status in the cruiserweight division. This signing represents a significant shift for Opetaia, who now has access to Zuffa’s promotional platform as the company prepares to launch its first official card on January 23 in Las Vegas and build an annual event calendar around Paramount+ distribution. Analysts point out that Zuffa Boxing’s alliance with Opetaia not only brings a world champion into the fold but also positions the promotion as more than just a showcase for prospects, blending established talent with rising stars.

In addition to the Opetaia signing, Zuffa Boxing has reportedly opened talks with heavyweight elite Oleksandr Usyk, the current unified WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight champion and one of boxing’s most respected champions. Usyk, 39, has been a free agent since parting ways with his long‑time promoter in mid‑2025 after defending his titles and vacating the WBO belt. According to statements from Usyk’s team director, there is active dialogue and mutual interest between Usyk’s camp and Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing organization, though no deal has been finalized. Those discussions are described as early and confidential, focusing on format, financial terms, and timing, with the possibility of a blockbuster matchup shaping the negotiations. Usyk has publicly targeted legacy‑defining fights, including a potential clash with former champion Deontay Wilder, and his team has emphasized that any fight must be high‑profile and meaningful rather than just another name on a card. If Usyk were to join Zuffa Boxing, it would significantly elevate the promotion’s profile by associating it with a multi‑belt heavyweight champion and one of modern boxing’s marquee names.

The potential Usyk move is being watched closely because it would immediately shift Zuffa Boxing’s narrative from a newcomer with promising prospects to a destination capable of attracting top‑tier veteran champions. Usyk’s career accomplishments include holding multiple undisputed championships across two weight classes, a rare feat in boxing, and his involvement would bring tremendous attention to Zuffa’s efforts to reshape the sport’s promotional landscape. The talks with Usyk’s team also coincide with his own ambitions to pursue big fights in key markets such as Las Vegas or Los Angeles, and insiders suggest that Zuffa’s promotional system modeled on the UFC’s consistent scheduling and event packaging is part of what attracts elite talent considering where to finish their legacies.

Both the Opetaia signing and the ongoing Usyk discussions signal Zuffa Boxing’s broader strategy: to blend rising champions with established global stars, build narrative momentum around big fights, and challenge the traditional fragmented boxing promotional model. How these moves unfold will play a major role in determining whether Zuffa can sustain long‑term success in boxing’s complex ecosystem.