What Is Zuffa Boxing? How the UFC-Style Boxing Promotion Works, Its Titles, and How to Watch in Japan (2026)
Zuffa Boxing is the boxing promotion formed by TKO, the parent company of the UFC, and the Saudi company Sela; in Japan, it streams live on U-NEXT.
Led by UFC President and CEO Dana White, the promotion has run numbered events since Zuffa Boxing 01 on 23 January 2026. It signs fighters directly, makes its fights in-house and has created its own world titles, which sets it apart from traditional boxing, where promoters and four sanctioning bodies (WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO) split those jobs between them. In Japan, U-NEXT has streamed Zuffa Boxing since Zuffa Boxing 09 on 27 July 2026, and its notice for Zuffa Boxing 11 says no ticket is needed: the monthly plan covers it (checked 24 September 2026 against the UFC, U-NEXT and the US Government Publishing Office).
A note on names: "TKO" here is the company, TKO Group Holdings, not the technical knockout. For the fight result, see TKO vs KO explained. KIAI is an independent outlet; this page has no affiliate or referral links.
Zuffa Boxing in 30 seconds
| Item | Details (checked 24 September 2026) |
|---|---|
| What it is | A boxing promotion run as a joint venture between TKO (parent of UFC and WWE) and Sela. TKO is the managing partner and runs day-to-day operations |
| Who leads it | Dana White (UFC President and CEO) and Nick Khan (WWE President, TKO board member). Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, is also named in its leadership |
| Events | Numbered cards starting with Zuffa Boxing 01 (23 January 2026, Meta APEX, Las Vegas) |
| Titles | Its own Zuffa Boxing world championships. First champion: Jai Opetaia (cruiserweight, 8 March 2026) |
| Streaming in the US and more | Paramount+, exclusively in the US, Canada and Latin America (announced 29 September 2025) |
| Streaming in Japan | U-NEXT (from Zuffa Boxing 09). Zuffa Boxing 11 needs no ticket; the monthly plan covers it |
How it started
A UFC announcement on 10 June 2025 said that Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford, set for 13 September 2025 in Las Vegas, would be promoted by Turki Alalshikh's Riyadh Season together with Dana White and Sela, and streamed on Netflix. White called it the first boxing match he would ever promote.
On 29 September 2025, Paramount and TKO announced a long-term media rights agreement. The release described Zuffa Boxing as "the new professional boxing promotion formed by TKO and leading entertainment conglomerate Sela" and said Paramount+ would exclusively distribute its events from January 2026, starting with 12 cards. Zuffa Boxing 01 followed on 23 January 2026 at the Meta APEX, the UFC's event venue in Las Vegas, where Callum Walsh beat Carlos Ocampo by unanimous decision in the main event (UFC).
How it differs from traditional boxing
The US federal Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, enacted on 26 May 2000, states among Congress's findings that professional boxing "operates without any private sector association, league, or centralized industry organization to establish uniform and appropriate business practices and ethical standards." In practice, the promoter who signs a fighter and stages the show, the sanctioning bodies such as the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO that recognise world champions and publish rankings, and the broadcaster are separate organisations.
Zuffa Boxing is trying to pull those roles into one company, closer to how the UFC works.
| Aspect | Traditional boxing | Zuffa Boxing |
|---|---|---|
| Who makes the fights | The promoter a fighter is signed to. Fights against another promoter's boxer are negotiated between companies | Its own matchmakers pair fighters who are signed to Zuffa |
| World titles | Each sanctioning body crowns its own champion, so one division can have several "world champions" | One Zuffa world champion per division, in eight divisions (reported) |
| Rankings | Each sanctioning body publishes its own | No Zuffa rankings table on the official page yet. Reports say it will build its own, starting from The Ring magazine's rankings |
| Event names | Each show has its own name | Numbered like the UFC: Zuffa Boxing 01, 02 and so on |
| Streaming | Each promoter makes its own broadcast and streaming deals | Long-term Paramount+ deal (US, Canada, Latin America). U-NEXT in Japan |
There are other UFC touches. The UFC website publishes "Results + Scorecards" for each event, including the winners of Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses (Zuffa Boxing 01, for example).
Zuffa has not cut ties with the sanctioning bodies, though. At Zuffa Boxing 10 on 8 August 2026, Aaron McKenna won the vacant IBF middleweight title (BBC). On 12 September in Las Vegas, Ryan Garcia defended his welterweight world title (UFC). As of September 2026, Zuffa's own belts and sanctioning-body belts share the same ring. The roster is also getting deeper: ESPN reported on 9 July 2026 that four-division world champion Shakur Stevenson (25-0) had signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing.
Zuffa Boxing's world titles and eight divisions
At Zuffa Boxing 04 on 8 March 2026 (Meta APEX, Las Vegas), Jai Opetaia beat Brandon Glanton by unanimous decision (119-106, 119-106, 119-106) to become the first Zuffa Boxing world champion, at cruiserweight (UFC). On 12 September at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Opetaia stopped world champion Noel Mikaelian by TKO at 1:30 of round 9, adding another cruiserweight belt and moving to 31-0 with 24 knockouts (UFC).
According to a 13 February 2026 report by Boxing News 24/7, Zuffa's titles cover the following eight divisions, with one champion in each.
| Division | Limit (lb) | Approx. (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight | over 200 | over 90.7 |
| Cruiserweight | 200 | 90.7 |
| Light heavyweight | 175 | 79.4 |
| Middleweight | 160 | 72.6 |
| Welterweight | 147 | 66.7 |
| Lightweight | 135 | 61.2 |
| Featherweight | 126 | 57.2 |
| Bantamweight | 118 | 53.5 |
The "super" divisions, such as super middleweight (168 lb), super welterweight (154) and super lightweight (140), are not among the eight, and neither is any division lighter than bantamweight. To compare with the traditional divisions, see our boxing weight classes guide.
On rankings, ESPN's January 2026 explainer reported that Zuffa Boxing uses The Ring magazine's rankings rather than those of the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO, and Boxing News 24/7 reported in February that Zuffa plans to start from The Ring's rankings while it builds its own. As of 24 September 2026, the Zuffa Boxing page on the UFC website (ufc.com/zuffaboxing) shows no Zuffa rankings table.
The Ali Revival Act bill in the US
A one-company model like Zuffa's also runs into US law. On 24 March 2026, the House of Representatives passed the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act (H.R. 4624). The bill would amend the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 to set requirements for "unified boxing organizations", and it now sits with the Senate (GovTrack and the US Government Publishing Office's GovInfo, checked 24 September 2026). ESPN reported that a House committee approved it 30-4 on 21 January, and that the bill would allow unified boxing organizations to be created as an alternative to the existing sanctioning bodies. What the Senate does next is worth watching for anyone following how Zuffa runs its titles and rankings.
How to watch in Japan: U-NEXT
In Japan, Zuffa Boxing streams on U-NEXT. In a news release on 24 July 2026, U-NEXT announced exclusive live streaming of Zuffa Boxing, starting with Zuffa Boxing 09 at 5:45 a.m. on Monday 27 July, Japan time.
| Item | Details (checked 24 September 2026) |
|---|---|
| Service | U-NEXT |
| Extra fee | None. No ticket purchase is needed; the monthly plan covers it |
| Monthly plan | 2,189 yen including tax when you sign up on the web; 2,400 yen when you sign up in the app |
| Free trial | 31 days, for people using the monthly service for the first time. You can watch during the trial |
| Replays | Yes. Zuffa Boxing 11 replays run until 11:59 p.m. on Monday 26 October 2026 |
| Watching from outside Japan | Not possible (U-NEXT notice) |
Zuffa Boxing 11 (26 September local time, Copper Box Arena, London; main event Johnny Fisher vs Michael Pirotton, heavyweight, 10 rounds) streams live on U-NEXT from 1:15 a.m. on Sunday 27 September, Japan time, until the last fight ends (U-NEXT Help Center notice; times may change). In the app, go to Search, then Live, then Martial Arts, then All Live Streams.
The 29 September 2025 announcement lists the US, Canada and Latin America as Paramount+'s exclusive territories; Japan is not among them. In the UK, Zuffa Boxing 11 airs on Sky Sports (UFC). For the UFC itself, see "How to watch the UFC in Japan" guide.
Key events and results in 2026
| Event | Date (local) | Venue | Main event result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zuffa Boxing 01 | 23 January | Meta APEX, Las Vegas | Callum Walsh def. Carlos Ocampo, unanimous decision (98-90, 98-90, 97-91) |
| Zuffa Boxing 04 | 8 March | Meta APEX, Las Vegas | Jai Opetaia def. Brandon Glanton, unanimous decision (119-106 x3), inaugural Zuffa cruiserweight world title |
| Zuffa Boxing 08 | 28 June | The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas | Jose Valenzuela def. Edwin De Los Santos, KO at 2:05 of round 2 |
| Zuffa Boxing 09 | 26 July | Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York | Edgar Berlanga def. Steven Butler, TKO at 1:14 of round 7 |
| Zuffa Boxing 10 | 8 August | 3Arena, Dublin | Aaron McKenna def. Etinosa Oliha, unanimous decision (118-110, 117-111, 116-112), vacant IBF middleweight title |
| Garcia vs Benn | 12 September | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas | Ryan Garcia def. Conor Benn, TKO at 1:25 of round 2, welterweight world title defence |
| Zuffa Boxing 11 | 26 September | Copper Box Arena, London | Johnny Fisher vs Michael Pirotton (heavyweight, 10 rounds); 27 September in Japan |
Results come from the UFC's "Results + Scorecards" page for each event and the official Zuffa Boxing 11 fight card (the Zuffa Boxing 10 title name is from the BBC). The table lists only the events KIAI could confirm from official sources; it is not a complete list. Each linked event page carries the full card.
Three things to watch next
- The Senate. H.R. 4624 passed the House on 24 March 2026 and goes to the Senate next (GovTrack, checked 24 September 2026). To become law, it must pass the Senate in the same form as the House version and then be signed by the President; if the Senate amends it, it goes back to the House. If it becomes law, "unified boxing organizations" would become a category in US law.
- Official rankings. Whether the Zuffa rankings described in the reports appear on the official page.
- The next events and streams. Dates after Zuffa Boxing 11, and U-NEXT's streaming notices. KIAI updates each event page with results.
Main sources
- UFC: "Paramount Announces Landmark Media Rights Deal With Zuffa Boxing" (29 September 2025)
- UFC: "Results + Scorecards" for Zuffa Boxing 01, 04, 08, 09 and 10 and for Garcia vs Benn, plus the "Zuffa Boxing 11 Official Fight Card"
- U-NEXT news release (24 July 2026) and U-NEXT Help Center (Zuffa Boxing 11 live stream, monthly plan price, 31-day free trial)
- US Government Publishing Office, GovInfo (Public Law 106-210, H.R. 4624) and GovTrack (status of H.R. 4624)
- ESPN (explainer of 23 January 2026; Stevenson signing, 9 July 2026), Boxing News 24/7 (13 February 2026), BBC Sport (Zuffa Boxing 10)
Sources: UFC and U-NEXT (both checked 24 September 2026). Update log: 2026-09-24, written from official announcements and US congressional records.
Sources
- Paramount Announces Landmark Media Rights Deal With Zuffa Boxing (2025-09-29)
- カネロ・アルバレス対テレンス・クロフォードの超大型対決が9月13日（土）にラスベガスで開催のリヤド・シーズンで実現、Netflixで全世界にライブ配信（2025-06-10）
- Results + Scorecards | Zuffa Boxing 01 (2026-01-23, Meta APEX)
- Results + Scorecards | Zuffa Boxing 04: Opetaia vs Glanton (2026-03-08)
- Results + Scorecards | Zuffa Boxing 08: De Los Santos vs Valenzuela (2026-06-28)
- Results + Scorecards | Zuffa Boxing 09: Berlanga vs Butler (2026-07-26)
- Zuffa Boxing 10 Results + Scorecards (2026-08-08, 3Arena Dublin)
- Results + Scorecards | Garcia vs Benn (2026-09-12, T-Mobile Arena)
- Zuffa Boxing 11 Official Fight Card (Fisher vs Pirotton, Copper Box Arena, 2026-09-26)
- 「Zuffa Boxing」をU-NEXTで独占ライブ配信！『Zuffa Boxing 09』から配信開始（2026-07-24）
- 【LIVE】『Zuffa Boxing 11：フィッシャー vs. ピロットン』のライブ配信について（2026-09-24更新）
- U-NEXT 月額プランの料金詳細
- U-NEXTの31日間無料トライアル
- Public Law 106-210 — Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act (2000-05-26)
- H.R. 4624 (RFS) — Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act of 2026
- H.R. 4624: Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act of 2026 — status (passed House 2026-03-24)
- What is Zuffa Boxing? Fighters, format, rules, more details (2026-01-23)
- Zuffa Boxing adds Shakur Stevenson in landmark signing (2026-07-09)
- Zuffa Boxing Sets Eight Divisions, One Champion Per Weight (2026-02-13)
- McKenna claims IBF middleweight title in Dublin
FAQ
- What is Zuffa Boxing?
- It is a boxing promotion run as a joint venture between TKO, the UFC's parent company, and the Saudi company Sela. It is led by UFC President and CEO Dana White and has held numbered events since Zuffa Boxing 01 on 23 January 2026 (UFC, checked 24 September 2026).
- Where can I watch Zuffa Boxing in Japan?
- On U-NEXT. It has streamed Zuffa Boxing since Zuffa Boxing 09 on 27 July 2026. Zuffa Boxing 11 streams live from 1:15 a.m. on Sunday 27 September, Japan time, with replays until 11:59 p.m. on Monday 26 October (U-NEXT, checked 24 September 2026).
- Does U-NEXT charge extra for Zuffa Boxing?
- No. U-NEXT says no ticket purchase is needed and the monthly plan (2,189 yen including tax when you sign up on the web) covers it, including during the 31-day free trial (checked 24 September 2026). It cannot be watched from outside Japan.
- Are Zuffa Boxing belts world titles? How are they different from the WBA and the others?
- They are Zuffa Boxing world championships, recognised by Zuffa Boxing itself and separate from the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO titles. The first champion was Jai Opetaia, who won at cruiserweight on 8 March 2026. Zuffa events also stage sanctioning-body title fights, such as the vacant IBF middleweight title fight at Zuffa Boxing 10.
- Does Zuffa Boxing have rankings?
- As of 24 September 2026, the Zuffa Boxing page on the UFC website shows no Zuffa rankings table. ESPN and Boxing News 24/7 have reported that Zuffa plans to build its own rankings, starting from The Ring magazine's rankings.
- Can I watch Zuffa Boxing on Paramount+ in Japan?
- No. The 29 September 2025 announcement lists the US, Canada and Latin America as Paramount+'s exclusive territories, and Japan is not among them. In Japan, Zuffa Boxing streams on U-NEXT.