Opetaia (29-0, 23 KOs) lost the IBF belt after the organization withdrew approval for the bout once it became clear that Zuffa Boxing planned to award its own “world cruiserweight title” during the event. Pursuant to IBF Rule 5.H., a champion who participates in a fight that the organization does not sanction at the same weight automatically vacates the title.
That ruling removed the belt from the fight days before the event. Only Zuffa’s newly created Cruiserweight Championship will now be up for grabs on Sunday.
The disagreement developed late in fight week. Opetaia’s team indicated earlier that the Zuffa belt would be presented as a ceremonial trophy rather than a recognized championship. During the final press conference, it became clear that the promotional belt will still be treated as a title, prompting the IBF to withdraw its sanction.
The decision left Opetaia with a choice between protecting the IBF belt or going ahead with the first Zuffa event. He chose to move forward with the fight.
The situation marks the second time Opetaia has lost the IBF title outside the ring. He first captured the belt in July 2022 with his upset win over Mairis Briedis, but later relinquished it ahead of a Riyadh season fight against Ellis Zorro after the IBF ordered a Briedis rematch instead.
Opetaia regained the vacant championship in May 2024 by again defeating Briedis, although the title now reverts to the vacant position following the sanction dispute surrounding this weekend’s fight.
Opetaia still holds the Ring cruiserweight championship, but losing the IBF belt removes one of the four major titles from his quest to become undisputed champion at 200 pounds. So Sunday’s fight progresses as Zuffa Boxing’s first championship event rather than a traditional world title defense.
The cruiserweight fight between Opetaia and Glanton headlines Zuffa Boxing 04 on March 8 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
