The update, reported by Marcos Villegas, indicates that Berlanga will remain at super middleweight rather than move up to light heavyweight, which was suggested by earlier promotional materials focused on Zuffa’s 175-pound roster.
That shift stands out. Zuffa outlined a structure built around eight divisions, which does not include the 168-pound category.
This set-up does not agree with Berlanga, who remains at 168 for his debut. Berlanga is expected to compete at 168 despite the promotion not formally recognizing the division within its framework.
The alternative would have been a move to light heavyweight, where Berlanga has previously shown the size to compete, having rehydrated in the low 190s for previous fights. Staying at 168 avoids an immediate jump against obviously bigger opponents and keeps him in line with his recent run at super middleweight.
Berlanga headlined the promotion’s early roster alongside Richardson Hitchins, and both are expected to debut this summer as Zuffa expands its schedule.
The situation also highlights an early tension between Zuffa’s stated structure and how it might function in practice. The promotion offered a reduced number of weight classes, leaving out several divisions commonly used in boxing, including 168.
That approach would usually require fighters in that range to either move down to middleweight or compete at light heavyweight.
In Berlanga’s case, the strict application of that structure would have meant an immediate adjustment in his first appearance under the new agreement.
Allowing him to fight at 168 keeps him in a division where he recently competed and avoids forcing a move before even making his debut for the promotion.
The move leaves Zuffa in a position where his early framework is being tested by the reality of integrating established fighters.
If Berlanga does make his Zuffa debut at 168, it will show the promotion is willing to bend its own weight class setup when a newly signed fighter doesn’t fit neatly into it.
