Jai Opetaia has consistently voiced his plans to become the undisputed cruiserweight world champion, but that dream may be about to fade, with reports suggesting that the Aussie has been given an ultimatum just four days before his fight with Brandon Glanton.
Opetaia won the IBF cruiserweight world title when he overcame Mairis Briedis in 2022, but he was stripped of the belt after just one title defence after opting to fight Ellis Zorro in Saudi Arabia, a fight which the IBF refused to sanction.
However, just six months later, Opetaia reclaimed the belt when he beat Briedis for a second time, and he has since gone on to make four defences during his second reign, whilst continuously calling for unification showdowns with his fellow world champions.
Back in January, the unbeaten southpaw signed with Zuffa Boxing – a decision which confused fight fans due to Dana White’s plans to phase out the four traditional belts.
Ahead of his debut with Zuffa this Sunday, where he takes on Atlanta’s Glanton for the vacant and inaugural Zuffa cruiserweight title, Opetaia previously said he did not know whether his IBF crown would also be on the line.
“There is a lot of things that are happening behind the scenes and I am a proud fighter that won the IBF fair and square, and I am happy to hold that belt.
“Whether we defend it [against Glanton] or not, I am not sure, but I will be defending it. Whether it’s in this one or the next one.
“It is my mission to become undisputed, so I don’t become undisputed without the IBF as well.
“[There is no danger of me being stripped] that I know of. I don’t think there is any danger.”
Now, just 96 hours before facing Glanton, ESPN’s Salvador Rodriguez has reported that the IBF have informed Opetaia that he must pick whether to fight for the Zuffa title or for their belt.
“Sources: IBF has requested Jai Opetaia to make a decision on the title he’ll be fighting for this weekend. He can either defend the IBF title or fight for the promoter’s belt, but not both.”
Sources: IBF has requested Jai Opetaia to make a decision on the title he'll be fighting for this weekend. He can either defend the IBF title or fight for the promoter's belt, but not both.
— Salvador Rodriguez (@ChavaESPN) March 4, 2026
Being the marquee signing of Zuffa Boxing, and should this report be accurate, it is expected that Opetaia will elect to fight for the Zuffa belt and then hope that the IBF do not strip him and thus scupper his plans to challenge the victor of Ramirez-Benavidez for the unified cruiserweight throne.
