Opetaia vs. Glanton for Zuffa Cruiserweight Title

Australian cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia faces American contender Brandon Glanton on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, in a bout that headlines Zuffa Boxing 04 and crowns the promotion's inaugural cruiserweight title. The event, streamed live on Paramount+ starting at 6 p.m. Pacific Time for the main card, marks Opetaia's debut under the Zuffa banner and raises questions about the status of his IBF world championship belt.

Opetaia, who holds an undefeated record of 29-0 with 23 knockouts, enters the ring as the division's top-ranked fighter according to multiple observers. The 30-year-old Australian captured the IBF title in 2022 and reclaimed it in May 2024 after a rematch victory over Mairis Briedis. He has stopped his last four opponents, including David Nyika and Huseyin Cinkara in 2025. Glanton, 34, brings a 21-3 record and experience against tough competition, notably a competitive loss to Chris Billam-Smith in April 2024. Billam-Smith, the former WBO champion, described Glanton as one of the toughest opponents he has faced, praising his pressure, chin, and power but warning that his path to victory lies in an early start. "Glanton's only...