Zuffa Boxing is set to officially kick off with its first event on Friday at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, featuring undefeated fighter Callum Walsh facing former title contender Carlos Ocampo in a middleweight match.
This initiative has been a long time in the making for UFC CEO Dana White, who proposed the idea of a boxing promotion nearly ten years ago after the high-profile fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor in August 2017. He aimed to address what he perceived as a “broken” system. After several delays, White announced last year that TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of UFC, would enter boxing through Zuffa Boxing in collaboration with Sela Sport, backed by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority.
What is Zuffa Boxing and which fighters have they signed?
Zuffa Boxing is a promotion established by Dana White and Alalshikh, functioning as a joint venture between Sela Sport and TKO Group Holdings. White declared in June 2025 that he intends to apply the UFC’s promotional methods to Zuffa Boxing, which will feature its own world titles and employ The Ring Magazine’s ranking system to identify top contenders.
The promotion secured a media rights agreement with Paramount Skydance in September, allowing events to be streamed on Paramount+ and aired on CBS. Fighters signed to the promotion include Callum Walsh, former WBA junior welterweight champion Jose Valenzuela, and IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia.
When and where will Zuffa Boxing events happen?
Initially, Zuffa Boxing events will be held at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, starting with the kickoff event on Friday, coinciding with UFC 324 at T-Mobile Arena. The card also features Misael Rodriguez against Austin Deanda and Julian Rodriguez facing Cain Sandoval. The second event is scheduled for February 1, with Valenzuela against Diego Torres in the main event.
Will the rules be the same as traditional boxing?
According to Nevada State Athletic Commission director Jeffrey Mullen, the rules will align with standard boxing protocols, featuring three-minute rounds and a 10-point scoring system. Championship bouts consist of 12 rounds, with various options for non-title fights.
White hinted at potential adjustments to the boxing ring setup, though specific alterations have yet to be disclosed. Zuffa Boxing plans to implement its business model to crown its world champions while only recognizing The Ring Magazine’s ranking.
