Opetaia (29-0, 23 KOs) lost the IBF belt after the organization withdrew approval for the bout once it became clear Zuffa Boxing planned to award its own “world cruiserweight title” during the event. Under IBF Rule 5.H., a champion who competes in a fight that the organization does not approve 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 on the line Sunday.
The disagreement developed late in fight week. Opetaia’s team previously indicated the Zuffa belt would be presented as a ceremonial trophy rather than a recognized championship. During the final press conference, it became clear the promotional belt would still be treated as a title, prompting the IBF to withdraw its sanctioning.
The decision left Opetaia facing a choice between protecting the IBF belt or proceeding with the inaugural 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 defeating Briedis again, though the title now returns to vacancy following the sanctioning dispute surrounding this weekend’s fight.
Opetaia still holds The Ring cruiserweight championship, but the loss of the IBF belt removes one of the four major titles from his pursuit of becoming undisputed champion at 200 pounds. Sunday’s fight, therefore, moves ahead 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 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on March 8.
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