Heavyweight positioning takes priority
Ajagba, 20-1-1 with 14 knockouts, operates as a free agent in Zuffa’s stable. The 31-year-old Nigerian last went the distance to a majority draw against Martin Bakole, extending an unbeaten run to five fights and one draw since dropping a decision to Frank Sanchez in 2021. A convincing performance at the Meta Apex bolsters his case for a knockout berth.
Martin, 30-4-1 with 27 knockouts, has former IBF belt status but is riding a three-fight losing streak against top-15 opposition. The 39-year-old southpaw’s first-round stoppage of Matthew McKinney in November 2024 provided a temporary reprieve. The Ajagba waste represents the clearest path back to strife.
Residency format establishes control
The Sunday slot serves dual purposes. This gives Zuffa Boxing separation from competing weekend cards, while locking Paramount+ into a predictable delivery schedule. The residency format at the Meta Apex reduces logistical variables and creates promotional continuity across early-stage shows.
By ditching the February 14 date, Zuffa Boxing eliminates weekend junk and sets Sunday as its operational standard. For fighters like Ajagba and Martin, the shift doesn’t change the purse or the stakes, but it explains Zuffa’s preferred calendar structure moving forward.
“The heavyweight division is the crown jewel of combat sports, and for our third event we wanted a fight that mattered,” said Dana White, UFC president and CEO. “Ajagba and Martin are both at a crossroads. One is a massive puncher looking to prove he’s championship material, and the other is a former world champion who knows this is his last run. These are exactly the kind of competitive, high-stakes matchups that Zuffa Boxing brings to the sport.”
For the heavyweight division, February 15 now functions as a sorting mechanism. Ajagba gets elimination status with a clean win. Martin ensures relevance as his southpaw jab and left hand disrupt the Nigerian’s rhythm.
Zuffa Boxing 3: Ajagba vs. Martin – Sunday 15 February 2026
- Location: Meta Apex, Las Vegas, NV
- Promoter: Dana White – Zuffa Boxing
- Media: Exclusive on Paramount+
- Time: Main card begins at 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT
