Jai Opetaia could be stripped of his IBF cruiserweight title after defeating Brandon Glanton to win the inaugural Zuffa world cruiserweight title.
The Australian won a dominant unanimous decision at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, with all three judges scoring 119-106. However, the bout was not sanctioned by the IBF, which does not recognise Zuffa Boxing. The IBF initially approved the fight under the impression it would be a non-title contest, but after a news conference confirmed the Zuffa belt was on the line, they withdrew sanction and warned Opetaia could lose his IBF title.
Opetaia, who signed with Zuffa Boxing in January aiming to become undisputed at cruiserweight, won every round in his U.S. debut. He said he remains focused on regaining his IBF belt and achieving undisputed status.
Zuffa Boxing, backed by UFC chief Dana White, launched its first event in January with ambitions to rival the traditional sanctioning bodies—WBO, WBC, IBF, and WBA—and elevate its belt alongside the Ring Magazine title.
