What is Zuffa Boxing? Information on fighters, structure, regulations, and additional details.

Zuffa Boxing is set to officially debut with its first event on Friday at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, featuring undefeated Callum Walsh facing off against former title challenger Carlos Ocampo in a middleweight clash.

This moment has been a long time in the making for UFC CEO Dana White, who hinted at the creation of a boxing promotion nearly ten years ago after the widely publicized boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor in August 2017. He aimed to address what he described as a “broken” system. The launch faced multiple delays until last year when White revealed that the UFC’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, would venture into boxing under the name Zuffa Boxing in collaboration with Sela Sport, supported by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia.

In anticipation of Zuffa Boxing’s inaugural event, this guide aims to clarify lingering questions about the promotion and its objectives.

What is Zuffa Boxing and which fighters have they signed?

Zuffa Boxing is a promotion established by White and Alalshikh. The organization is a partnership between Sela Sport, a Saudi Arabian entertainment and hospitality firm owned by the Public Investment Fund, and TKO Group Holdings. In June 2025, White officially declared that he would implement the UFC’s promotional model within Zuffa Boxing.

Zuffa Boxing will feature its own world titles and utilize The Ring Magazine’s ranking system to identify top contenders.

The promotion secured a media rights agreement in September with Paramount Skydance to stream events on Paramount+ and simulcast select events on CBS.

Reportedly, the promotion has signed Irish super middleweight prospect Callum Walsh, former WBA junior welterweight champion Jose Valenzuela, middleweight prospect Vito Mielnicki, welterweight Radzhab Butaev, heavyweight Efe Ajagba, and junior middleweight Serhii Bohachuk. The most notable name signed to the promotion thus far is IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia.

When and where will Zuffa Boxing events happen?

For the foreseeable future, Zuffa Boxing events will be held at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas. The inaugural event is scheduled for Friday, the day prior to UFC 324 at T-Mobile Arena. In addition to Walsh vs. Ocampo, the card features Misael Rodriguez vs. Austin Deanda in a middleweight co-main event, and Julian Rodriguez will compete against Cain Sandoval in the main card opener.

The second event is slated for February 1, with Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela facing Diego Torres at a catchweight in the main event. A show on February 14 is expected to include a bout between heavyweight Efe Ajagba and former IBF champion Charles Martin.

Are the rules the same as regular boxing?

Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Jeffrey Mullen informed ESPN on Thursday that “all rules will be the same.”

Currently, men’s boxing consists of three-minute rounds, with three judges applying a 10-point must system to determine the outcome if the fight goes the distance.

Championship bouts are 12 rounds, while non-title fights can be 4, 6, 8, or 10 rounds. Boxing glove sizes typically range from 8 oz to 10 oz, depending on the weight class, with lighter classes up to 140 pounds using 8-ounce gloves and heavyweight classes opting for 10-ounce gloves. White has hinted at potential modifications to the boxing ring but has not yet disclosed what those changes might entail.

Will the fighters compete for the traditional boxing titles (WBC, WBO, IBF, and WBA)? How will the fighters be ranked?

White has consistently expressed his dissatisfaction with the existing boxing governing bodies and intends to maintain a self-contained environment within Zuffa Boxing, similar to the UFC.

“I’ve been critical of boxing for a long time, and now it’s time to put my money where my mouth is,” White stated in a recent interview with Stephen A. Smith in January. “I’m going to eliminate the sanctioning organizations. The best will fight the best. We’re going to sign all the young, emerging talent.”

“If you break into the top 10 and remain undefeated, your undefeated record holds significance. Everyone claims to be undefeated in boxing because few fight anyone.”

By adopting the same business model as the UFC, Zuffa Boxing aims to establish its own world champions. The only ranking system it will acknowledge is that of The Ring Magazine, which is owned by Alalshikh.

The recent signing of Opetaia has complicated this strategy. In a video announcing his signing with Zuffa Boxing, Opetaia indicated that he would seek the chance to become the undisputed cruiserweight champion.

Opetaia’s manager, Mick Francis, mentioned that unification bouts will be a priority for his fighter, and Zuffa Boxing has agreed to support this pursuit.

“One of the concerns was that [Zuffa Boxing] didn’t recognize the sanctioning bodies,” Francis stated in an interview with Boxing King Media. “However, to facilitate the deal and finalize Jai’s signing, they will allow him to compete for the titles and unify the division, which is precisely what he aims to do.”

White confirmed on Wednesday that Zuffa Boxing will assist Opetaia in his quest to become the undisputed cruiserweight champion.

“It’s all a work in progress,” White remarked at a Zuffa Boxing news conference regarding the need to collaborate with other sanctioning bodies on behalf of Opetaia. “These fighters all come from somewhere and have had dreams since they first laced up their gloves. We will do everything possible to ensure that they can achieve their aspirations.”

Are events sanctioned by state athletic commissions? Will there be drug testing?

The Nevada State Athletic Commission currently oversees all combat sports events within the state, but details regarding drug testing for Zuffa Boxing have yet to be disclosed. The NSAC and Zuffa Boxing did not respond to ESPN’s inquiries on Wednesday about drug testing.

The UFC transitioned away from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in late 2023 to establish its own drug testing program, the UFC Anti-Doping Program.

How does the proposed Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act affect Zuffa Boxing?

In April 2025, TKO Group requested amendments to the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 prior to formally announcing the launch of Zuffa Boxing. The bill was introduced in July and is known as the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act (H.R. 4624). This legislation would permit the formation of Unified Boxing Organizations (UBOs) as an alternative to the current sanctioning bodies overseeing boxing. This would enable Zuffa Boxing to operate independently of existing sanctioning bodies and establish its own world title and ranking system.

Representatives from Zuffa Boxing have assured ESPN that H.R. 4624 will not alter any language in the current Muhammad Ali Act. Instead, it aims to implement and enhance the existing act, which representatives believe would create more opportunities for boxers. H.R. 4624 passed the House Committee on Education and Workforce by a vote of 30-4 on January 21. It now requires approval from both chambers of Congress to be enacted.

With UFC under the same parent company, will MMA fighters crossover to the boxing ring?

White has remained firm in his position when asked about this topic by the media in recent months.

“I didn’t want that when I wasn’t involved in boxing, and I certainly don’t want it now,” White stated at Wednesday’s news conference.