“Why wouldn’t they?” Opetaia told Ring Champs about his interest in fighting Benavidez. “It would be so stupid not to. If he wins this fight and we have a unification fight, why wouldn’t someone have it on?”
Benavidez recently moved up to cruiserweight after building his reputation at 168 pounds and later competing at light heavyweight. His arrival has already sparked discussions about how he might match up with the division’s current champions. Benavidez built a reputation as a high-volume push fighter who gradually moved through opponents as he pushed for bigger fights across multiple divisions.
The champion made it clear that his goal remains the same regardless of promotional affiliations. His focus remains on collecting every belt available in the division before considering any future weight increases.
“We are here to fight the best,” said Opetaia. “We’re here to be undisputed. I’ve made that clear to everyone. To be undisputed in your own weight class is the goal.”
That ambition naturally puts the division’s belt holders in the same lane if negotiations ever line up. A matchup between the two fighters would generate additional interest because of their different backgrounds and fighting styles, which fans have already begun to debate as Benavidez settles into the weight class.
Benavidez’s size has drawn attention since his move to cruiserweight. The champion said those physical comparisons are less important than the actual fight once the bell rings.
“Just put us in the ring and see who’s better,” Jai said. “Styles are styles. You have to have ammunition to fight them all.”
For now, his focus remains on collecting titles in cruiserweight before thinking about heavier divisions later in his career. The long-term ambition, he explained, extends beyond the current weight class, but only after the cruiserweight goals are completed.
“I want to be uncontested,” he said. “Until it’s done, I’m not satisfied,” Opetaia said.
