ZUFFA BOXING 4 WEIGH-IN & BETTING ODDS
No Defense! IBF Strips Opetaia of Title Before Glanton Bout, Full Zuffa Predictions and Official Statement of Dana White
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
In a dramatic turnaround, International Boxing Federation World Cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia has suddenly been stripped of his title by the IBF, in advance of his scheduled titular defense against Brandon Glanton tonight in the main event of an eight bouts Paramount + Zuffa Boxing card at Meta Apex late tonight, Sunday, March 8, 2026, which is also Monday March 9, 2026 in Australia.
Dana White, founder and promoter of Zuffa Boxing, noted the IBF had already been paid its sanctioning fee. No word yet on whether the sanctioning fee paid by Zuffa will be refunded.
Dana White IBF Title Video Clip
BoxRec does not recognize the Zuffa Boxing league’s professional boxing titles, and Opetaia or Glanton will be the first to be crowned the league’s champion, so it seems. However, Opetaia’s dream of unifying the professional cruiserweight titles of the WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF, and IBO will evidently never come to pass, as the IBF has set a precedent for boxing sanctioning authorities distancing themselves from the Zuffa titles. The concept was that the league titles would lead to the gradual elimination of the sanctioning titles. This fact never being in doubt, the controversy will certainly bring Zuffa publicity, but it has been established that Zuffa and the established boxing authorities will go in different directions to ensure their survival.
Alexei Papin, European champion Mateusz Masternak, Ryan Rozicki, former IBF Cruiserweight champion Krzystzof Wlodarczyk, Robin Sirwan Safar, former WBO Light Heavyweight champion Sergei Kovalev, and former WBA cruiserweight champion First Arslan, are among the known contender names who could be in contention for the vacant IBF cruiserweight title, or one of the other titular champions could attempt to add the IBF titular to their upcoming titular defense bouts.
The southpaw Opetaia, 29-0 with 23 knockouts, Gold Coast, Australia, is predicted to defeat Glanton, 21-3 with 18 knockouts, Atlanta, Georgia, by knockout for the inaugural Zuffa title. At -1400 to -1600, Opetaia is favored by the odds over Glanton, who is at +750 to + 1100. Opetaia possesses the superior technical skill, hand speed, and ring generalship, though Glanton possesses significant titular experience and could go the distance is a possible closer bout than anticipated. Opetaia is ranked number one on BoxRec, while Glanton is ranked nineteenth worldwide inside the top 20 of all cruiserweights.
Glanton is tough and has an 86 percent knockout rate to Opetaia’s 79 percent rate. While knockdowns could affect scoring, Glanton, the underdog, should not be underestimated.
Robert Brizel Meta Apex Paramount Plus Zuffa Boxing Predictions
Ricardo ‘Magic Man’ Salas, win in 10 rounds over Jesus Salacho, Welterweights
Shinard Bunch, win in 10 rounds over Vlad Panin, Welterweights
Real Combat Media was ringside for Brian Arregui’s 10 rounds decision upset over Panin in Atlantic City in March 2025, and believes based on what was seen, the 23-2 Panin can be soundly beaten by the 22-3-1 Bunch.
Adan Palma win in 10 rounds over Pablo Rubio, Featherweights
Joshua Juarez win by knockout over Jardae Anderson, Heavyweights
Ethan Perez win by six rounds decision over Jaycob Ramos, Featherweights
Brady Ochoa, win by six rounds decision over Adrian Miguel Serrano, Lightweights
Emiliano Alvarado, win by stoppage over Erick Rosado, Featherweights, opening bout
Las Vegas, NV (March 6th, 2026)– Opetaia vs. Glanton is scheduled for Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. This event marks a major milestone for the promotion, as it features the crowning of the first-ever Zuffa Boxing world champion.
The headliner features undefeated Australian Jai Opetaia (29-0, 23 KOs) against American veteran Brandon Glanton (21-3, 18 KOs) for the inaugural Zuffa Boxing Cruiserweight World Championship.
Currently, the IBF and The Ring cruiserweight champion, Opetaia, is widely considered the top fighter in the division.
Brandon Glanton is a hard-hitting challenger known for his durability. Glanton has won his last seven victories by knockout and has never been dropped in his career.
In addition to the Zuffa Boxing belt, the Ring cruiserweight title is officially on the line. While Opetaia holds the IBF belt, it remains unclear if the IBF will officially sanction this specific bout. Check out the full card below and the betting odds.
Main Card (9 p.m. ET on Paramount+)
The main card features three bouts, including the crowning of the inaugural Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight champion.
Cruiserweight Jai Opetaia vs. Brandon Glanton – 29-0, 23 Kos vs. 21-3, 18 K0s
Welterweight Ricardo Salas vs. Jesus Saracho – 22-2-2, 16 Kos vs. 16-2-2, 12 Kos
Featherweight Adan Palma vs. Pablo Rubio Jr. – 14-0, 9 Kos vs. 14-0, 5 Kos
Preliminary Card (6 p.m. ET on Paramount+)
The preliminary card consists of five additional matchups across various divisions.
Welterweight Vlad Panin vs. Shinard Bunch – 23-2, 15 Kos vs 22-3-1, 18 Kos
Heavyweight Joshua Juarez vs. Jardae Anderson – 14-0, 9 Kos vs. 11-1, 9 Kos
Featherweight Jaycob Ramos vs. Ethan Perez – 4-1, 1 Kos vs. 8-0, 3 Kos
Lightweight Brady Ochoa vs. Adrian Serrano – 9-0, 2 Kos vs. 6-0-1, 3 Kos
Featherweight Emiliano Alvarado vs. Erik Rosado – 10-0, 6 Kos vs. 15-4 11, Kos
Zuffa Boxing Average Betting Odds:
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