Following his decisive knockout victory over Gilberto Ramirez on May 2, 2026, in Las Vegas, David Benavidez acknowledged Jai Opetaia as a formidable opponent, calling the potential matchup the biggest in the cruiserweight division. Benavidez, now holding the WBA Super and WBO cruiserweight titles, expressed a clear reluctance to engage Opetaia if it meant fighting under the Zuffa Boxing banner.
Zuffa Boxing Contract Halts Benavidez-Opetaia Clash Despite Mutual Interest
Jai Opetaia joined Zuffa Boxing, an organization led by UFC’s Dana White, in February 2026. The Australian southpaw successfully claimed the inaugural Zuffa cruiserweight title by defeating Brandon Glanton via unanimous decision in March 2026. This move, however, resulted in the forfeiture of his IBF belt, as the sanctioning body stripped him of the title due to his association with the new promoter.
Addressing the prospect of a future fight, Benavidez stated:
“That’s the biggest fight in the world, Opetaia is a beast, hell of a fighter. I just don’t know why he went to Zuffa. I’m not going over there to fight for a Zuffa title. Too much politics. But it’s the best fight in the world, so let’s make it happen.”
Both fighters boast undefeated records: Opetaia at 30-0 and Benavidez at 32-0. Opetaia has a 77% knockout rate with 23 stoppages, while Benavidez has an 81% knockout rate with 26 stoppages. Opetaia, a 6’3″ southpaw with a 76-inch reach, debuted in 2015 and has held The Ring cruiserweight title since defeating Mairis Briedis in 2022. Opetaia has expressed a strong desire for unification bouts to capture more titles, stating:
“Undisputed. Don’t take your mind off undisputed. We’re chasing unification fights. If we don’t get one by the end of the year, I’ll be very f***ing disappointed. Undisputed. When you think of me, you think, ‘Bro, he wants to be undisputed.’ That’s it. I’m not worried about anyone else. I don’t chase names. I don’t even care if it was Zurdo or if it was Benavidez or if it was back when it was Billam-Smith. I actually respect these dudes. I think they’re great fighters. I think they’re great world champions.”
Prior to the emergence of promotional obstacles, there was mutual interest and callouts between the fighters. Benavidez had praised Opetaia earlier in 2026, though he initially suggested Opetaia needed more experience in the cruiserweight division. Opetaia, meanwhile, targeted the winner of the Ramirez-Benavidez bout in April 2026 and actively pursued unification discussions. However, promotional conflicts have arisen, with Zuffa Boxing reportedly avoiding matchups involving Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) and DAZN, according to Benavidez, who remains with PBC.
Benavidez reiterated his position after his fight with Ramirez: “I don’t know why he went to Zuffa. I’m not gonna go over there and fight for a Zuffa title.” He also noted that Dana White typically does not engage in cross-promotional events, although he acknowledged that an agreement could theoretically be reached. Some fans have interpreted Benavidez’s stance as an avoidance tactic, drawing parallels to his previous criticisms of Canelo Alvarez for similar reasons.
In March 2026, Opetaia downplayed concerns about his Zuffa contract hindering unification prospects, expressing confidence that promoters would facilitate such fights. Reports had suggested a potential 12-round bout at 200 pounds in the U.S. during the summer of 2026, pitting Opetaia’s Ring belt against Benavidez’s WBA Super title, but this remained unconfirmed.
The potential for a fight cooled following Opetaia’s loss of the IBF belt. Benavidez has since expressed interest in moving to light heavyweight, potentially facing Dmitry Bivol. The cruiserweight landscape appears increasingly divided between Zuffa titles and the established traditional belts, with fighters eager for unification but platforms and promoters, including Dana White, remaining firm in their positions.