Jai Opetaia Stripped of IBF Cruiserweight Title After Zuffa Boxing Win
Jai Opetaia’s victory over Brandon Glanton at Zuffa Boxing 4 on March 9, 2026, came with a significant cost: the loss of his IBF cruiserweight world title. The IBF officially stripped Opetaia of the title after he chose to compete for the inaugural Zuffa Boxing championship, a move that conflicted with the sanctioning body’s rules.
Zuffa Boxing and the IBF Conflict
Opetaia (30-0, 23 KOs) secured a unanimous decision win (119-106, 119-106, 119-106) against Glanton at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, claiming the first-ever Zuffa Boxing belt. Although, the IBF withdrew its sanctioning of the bout due to the Zuffa belt being presented as a world title, despite Opetaia’s team stating it was intended as a “trophy or token of recognition.” RingSide24 reports the IBF cited a violation of “Rule 5 E.2,” which governs unification fights and is limited to the WBC, WBA, and WBO.
A Second Loss of the IBF Title
This marks the second time Opetaia has been stripped of the IBF title without a loss in the ring. He was previously stripped after participating in an unsanctioned bout in Saudi Arabia in November 2023, where his opponent was not ranked within the IBF’s top 15. FightMag details this history.
Opetaia’s Response and Future Plans
Despite losing his IBF title for the second time under these circumstances, Opetaia remains determined to become the undisputed cruiserweight champion. “I’m chasing the belts,” Opetaia stated in a post-fight interview with Paramount+. “I understand there’s been a lot of white noise and stuff, a lot of stuff on social media, but I’m just hoping it gets worked out and we can still chase that goal. I have not lost track of it, and I never have. I’ve been stripped once before. I’ve been stripped again. I’ll get the [IBF] belt back, and I’ll become undisputed.” Yahoo Sports reported on his post-fight comments.
Zuffa Boxing’s Ambitions and the Future of Boxing Sanctioning
The situation highlights the growing tension between established sanctioning bodies and Zuffa Boxing, backed by the UFC and Saudi investment. Zuffa Boxing, led by Dana White, aims to disrupt the traditional boxing landscape by phasing out the four major sanctioning bodies and recognizing only Zuffa champions and the Ring Magazine lineal champions. RingSide24 notes that White and his allies are seeking to amend the Muhammad Ali Reform Act to allow Zuffa to operate as both a promoter and a sanctioning body.
Looking Ahead
With Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez defending his unified cruiserweight title against David Benavidez on May 2 in Las Vegas, Opetaia will be closely watching, aiming for a future opportunity to compete for a world title once again. The outcome of the Ramirez-Benavidez fight will significantly impact Opetaia’s path toward achieving his goal of becoming the undisputed cruiserweight champion. Yahoo Sports