Jai Opetaia’s Ambitions in the Cruiserweight Division
Aiming to solidify his position as a leading figure in the cruiserweight division, Jai Opetaia is making it clear that he expects Zuffa Boxing to support his quest for unification of the world titles. The Australian boxer, who boasts an undefeated record of 29 wins, including 23 by knockout, recently signed with the new boxing promotion founded by UFC president Dana White. Joined in March, Opetaia was the first prominent athlete to be recruited by Zuffa, further adding to the buzz around the nascent organization—but his ambitions extend beyond what Zuffa has publicly laid out regarding championship titles.
Unification Goals and Upcoming Matchup
While Zuffa Boxing has indicated a desire to shift away from the traditional title hierarchy, Opetaia has emphasized that his primary aim is to unify the various cruiserweight belts and become the undisputed champion. As he prepares for a matchup against Brandon Glanton on March 8, which will feature a new title created by Zuffa, uncertainty surrounds whether his IBF championship will be on the line. Addressing this question, Opetaia expressed a mix of hope and concern, stating,
“I hope so, [it’s] not 100 percent confirmed,”
while awaiting clarification from the IBF.
Determination for Unification
In a candid disclosure, Opetaia conveyed his determination to achieve unification, declaring,
“If we don’t get one [unification fight] by the end of the year, I’ll be very f***ing disappointed.”
He further asserted the importance of focusing on his goal of undisputed status, distancing himself from distractions related to individual fighters. This mentality has guided his career, where he has refused to be drawn into rivalries or matchups solely for the sake of names, instead highlighting the respect he holds for other champions like Gilberto Ramirez and David Benavidez.
Looking Ahead
Though fans had been eager for a unification bout between Opetaia and Ramirez, who holds WBA and WBO titles but is now set to fight Benavidez on May 2, the matchup with Glanton presents a challenge that some may view as less compelling, especially after Glanton’s recent loss to Chris Billam-Smith, who himself was defeated by Ramirez.
Nevertheless, Opetaia remains optimistic about his partnership with Zuffa, asserting that their goals are aligned with his own aspirations.
“We sort of sat down, we went over what we wanted to do, and they said they can help us make sure things happen like that,”
he stated, emphasizing that this collaboration appeared to be a natural fit for his career trajectory. With eyes firmly set on unifying the titles, Opetaia stands ready to push forward in his boxing journey under Zuffa’s banner.
