Jai Opetaia is the Inaugural Zuffa Boxing Cruiserweight Champion

By Jeannie Penehuro/

Apia, SAMOA – 10 March 2026: Undefeated cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia delivered a commanding performance defeating Brandon Glanton by unanimous decision to become the first-ever Zuffa Boxing World Cruiserweight Champion.

The fight took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Opetaia showcased his elite movement, relentless punch volume, and clinical precision that have defined his rise in the cruiserweight division.

After dominating twelve rounds, all three judges scored the contest 119–106 in favor of the Australian/Samoan southpaw, extending Opetaia’s pristine professional record to 30–0, including 23 knockouts and seven decision victories.

The victory not only secured Opetaia the inaugural Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight title but also allowed him to retain his prestigious The Ring Magazine championship status as the division’s top fighter.

IBF Controversy Surrounds the Fight
But the build-up to the fight was not without controversy.

Just days before the fight, the International Boxing Federation stripped Opetaia of his cruiserweight title after refusing to sanction the bout against Glanton as an official title defense.

The decision sparked debate within the boxing world, as Opetaia entered the fight widely recognized as the division’s leading fighter.

Speaking after the fight, Opetaia acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the situation.

The champion indicated he remains unsure how the matter with the IBF will ultimately unfold but expressed hope that the governing body can move past what he described as “outside noise” emphasizing that the dispute is not about him personally.

Jai Opetaia always acknowledging his Samoan heritage and supporters.

Emotional Moment with Samoan Supporters
Despite the high stakes of the fight, one of the most memorable moments of the evening came after the final bell.

Opetaia, who proudly represents both Australia and his Samoan heritage, became visibly emotional as Samoan supporters in the crowd serenaded him with a traditional song.

The champion joined them in singing:

“Ua fa’afetai! Ua fa’afetai! Ua malie mata e va’ai! Ua tasi lava oe i lo’u nei fa’amoemoe.”

The moment reflected the strong cultural connection Opetaia maintains with his Samoan heritage and supporters.

He later thanked fans from Samoa and Australia for their unwavering support.

“I’m here representing my family and my nations, the support means everything.” he said.

Eyes on Unification
Despite capturing the Zuffa Boxing title, Opetaia made it clear that his mission in the cruiserweight division is far from complete.

The undefeated champion revealed that his long-term goal remains title unification, and he has already identified a potential opponent he hopes to face next – American-Mexican star David Benavidez.

While discussions have yet to be finalized, Opetaia said he is eager to continue challenging himself against the best fighters available.

“My job’s not finished, this is just the next chapter,” he said.

But for Opetaia, the focus remains on growth and representation.

He said, “There’s still a need to do better moving forward.”

With a new championship belt around his waist and ambitions for unification ahead, Jai Opetaia’s journey in boxing’s cruiserweight division appears far from over.