Noel Mikaelian and Jai Opetaia Face Off at the Debut Zuffa Boxing Event

WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Noel Mikaelian (28-3) and undefeated IBF titleholder Jai Opetaia (29-0) faced off in Las Vegas during the inaugural event of the new boxing promotion — Zuffa Boxing 1, organized by UFC president Dana White.

The two champions are expected to meet soon in a unification bout under the Zuffa Boxing banner. Mikaelian, the Armenian boxer, won the WBC title in December 2025 by defeating Badou Jack in a rematch. Immediately after his victory, he expressed a desire to unify the titles, and the first to accept the challenge was Australia’s Jai Opetaia — the undefeated IBF champion and top-ranked fighter by The Ring.

A New Era in Boxing: Zuffa Boxing

This historic event took place on the night of January 23 to 24 at the UFC META APEX arena in Las Vegas. Zuffa Boxing 1 marked the debut of a closed boxing league by TKO Group Holdings — the parent company of the UFC. Officially unveiled by Dana White in the summer of 2025, the new project aims to fully transform the world of professional boxing. The core idea is to implement the successful UFC model: exclusive contracts, a strict structure, and maximum entertainment.

In the main fight of the evening, Callum Walsh (16-0) convincingly defeated Carlos Ocampo (38-4), confirming his status as one of the most promising fighters in the new league.

The face-off between Mikaelian and Opetaia became the highlight of the evening, further fueling anticipation for a potential superfight — possibly the first title unification bout in Zuffa Boxing history.