Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing have continued to bolster their stable with the acquisition of Richardson Hitchins and Edgar Berlanga.
After conquering the world of MMA, UFC chief White has entered the world of boxing with his new promotional outfit Zuffa, staging several events since the start of the year.
So far their biggest signings have been cruiserweight supreme Jai Opetaia and British star Conor Benn, but now more notable names have joined the Zuffa ranks in the form of Hitchins and Berlanga, who have each signed multi-fight deals with the promotion.
Hitchins is the current IBF super-lightweight champion after winning the belt back in December 2024, and while he is seen as one of the best 140lb fighters in the world, whether he will be able to keep hold of that title after signing with Zuffa remains to be seen.
It has been stated previously that Zuffa doesn’t plan to recognise the governing bodies, and that came to a head last month in the bout between Opetaia and Brandon Glanton, with the IBF stripping the Australian of his belt due to proceeding with the contest.
The same outcome could then occur for Hitchins, who was set to defend that belt against Oscar Duarte back in February, before the match-up was cancelled on the day of the fight due to the champion falling ill.
As for Berlanga, the former world title challenger is hoping to get back to winning ways following his fifth round stoppage defeat to Hamzah Sheeraz in New York last July.
Upon launch, Zuffa did not recognise super-lightweight or super-middleweight, instead focusing on the traditional weight classes, so it is currently unknown whether or not Hitchins and Berlanga will have to compete in other respective divisions.
