Zuffa Boxing could suddenly find itself with one of boxing’s deepest collections of talent between 140 and 147 pounds if reported talks with Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney lead to official deals.
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Stevenson was reported Thursday to be finalizing an agreement with Zuffa, while Haney has continued fueling speculation about a massive new promotional deal after recent comments from his father, Bill Haney.
If both fighters land with Zuffa, they would join a growing stable that already includes Conor Benn and Richardson Hitchins.
That would immediately create several potential in-house matchups capable of generating major attention without the promotional roadblocks that often delay big boxing fights.
The report from Mannix on Friday is the strongest confirmation yet that Dana White is shifting from signing prospects and gatekeepers to collecting elite, prime-age champions. If Shakur Stevenson finalizes this move, it effectively ends the “promotional purgatory” he’s been in since leaving Top Rank.
Zuffa is rapidly building a 140 to 147-pound gauntlet that looks like a UFC division. By securing Shakur, they aren’t just getting a technician; they’re getting a fighter who recently dominated Teofimo Lopez in January and holds the WBO and Ring Magazine titles at junior welterweight.
The Zuffa “Shark Tank” at 140-147 lbs
The roster is becoming incredibly top-heavy with talent that has struggled to get big fights made under the old guard:
- Shakur Stevenson: The technical floor of the division and a sitting champion.
- Devin Haney: If that $100 million deal is real, he becomes the centerpiece. He’s already a three-division champ after taking the WBO welterweight belt from Brian Norman Jr. in November.
- Conor Benn: The “action” fighter of the group who brings massive UK eyes and a $15 million price tag.
- Richardson Hitchins: The high-IQ operator who just signed and is already calling for a Haney fight.
The New Reality for Haney vs. Shakur
The “U will see” post from Haney is starting to look like a warning to the rest of the industry. For years, promoters protected these two from each other because a loss would “kill their value.”
Under the Zuffa/TKO structure, which is bankrolled by Saudi capital and headed by Nick Khan and Dana White, that protectionism usually disappears. They operate on the “League” model, where the best are forced into an in-house tournament.
Key Factors in a Potential Matchup
Guaranteed Purses: Shakur reportedly turned down $60 million for three fights in March, but Mannix indicates the new “guaranteed money” was too much to ignore. This suggests the Zuffa offers are eclipsing anything Matchroom or PBC can realistically put up.
Sanctioning Body Politics: Zuffa has already shown they don’t mind their fighters being stripped (like Jai Opetaia or Richardson Hitchins) because they are building their own “Zuffa Championship” brand. However, for a Haney-Shakur fight, they might “play ball” with the WBO just to keep the undisputed prestige attached.
The Style Clash: You have two of the best defensive minds in the sport. In the past, no network wanted to pay $20 million+ each for a “track meet.” But with a $100 million investment in Haney, Zuffa is clearly betting on the “Mayweather” business model—selling the “unbeatable” aura rather than just the highlights.
The possibility of these four squaring off is the most significant development in the sport because it signals the end of the “Sanctioning Body Era” and the start of the “League Era.”
If Zuffa follows the UFC blueprint, they won’t care about “protecting an O.” They’ll care about the Zuffa Boxing Championship and the live gates at Allegiant Stadium or the Sphere. Here is how that four-way landscape likely shakes out:
1. The “Face of the League” Matchup: Haney vs. Shakur
If the rumors of Haney’s $100 million deal and Shakur’s $60 million three-fight offer are accurate, Zuffa is essentially paying them “Mayweather money.”
The Logic: You don’t pay that kind of cash for tune-ups. This is the “high-IQ” mega-fight. Since Shakur just beat Teofimo Lopez in January and Haney recently took the WBO welterweight belt, this would likely be for the inaugural Zuffa Undisputed title at 147.
The Hurdle: Both are defensive masters. Zuffa might pair them with aggressive “dance partners” first to build the highlight reels before putting them in with each other.
2. The Collision Course: Richardson Hitchins vs. Devin Haney
Hitchins has already been vocal about wanting Haney in 2026.
The Narrative: Hitchins is the “purist’s favorite” who just vacated his IBF belt to join Zuffa. This is a perfect “in-house” rivalry.
The Strategy: Dana White loves a storyline. If Hitchins keeps calling out the “$100 million man,” Zuffa could easily market this as the “Battle of the Technicians.”
3. The “Action” Bridge: Conor Benn
Benn is the outlier here. While Shakur, Haney, and Hitchins are technical wizards, Benn is a front-foot pressure fighter.
The Wildcard: Benn is coming off a massive $15 million payday against Regis Prograis and a fresh five-fight extension.
The Matchup: Benn vs. Shakur is the most intriguing “clash of styles.” It’s the classic “Bull vs. Matador.” Mannix even hinted at this as a potential Las Vegas stadium headliner for late 2026.
Why Mismatches are Unlikely
Zuffa’s business model is built on Subscription and PPV value. To justify the massive Saudi investment (rumored to be 60% of the venture), they need “Event-Driven” cards.
Internal Rankings: Expect Zuffa to release their own rankings soon. If Haney is #1 and Shakur is #2, the league structure makes it almost impossible for them to avoid each other for years.
No More “Marinating”: In the old guard, promoters worried about a loss, “killing” a fighter’s value. In a league, a loss just means a “rematch” or a “comeback trail” narrative, exactly like the UFC.
Last Updated on 2026/05/09 at 2:10 AM
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