Jai Opetaia Closing In on Brandon Glanton Fight for Zuffa

Australia’s Jai Opetaia is close to finalising terms for a fight with Brandon Glanton on March 8, which would mark the first bout of his new co-promotional agreement with Zuffa Boxing. The development was first reported by Brunch Boxing.

The IBF cruiserweight titleholder has been expected to make his Zuffa debut in the United States following his stoppage win over Huseyin Cinkara in December. Discussions have progressed toward Glanton as the opponent, with Las Vegas viewed as the likely location.

While the bout has been linked to a March date, an official announcement from Zuffa Boxing has not yet been made, and the fight has not been formally confirmed by either camp.

Opetaia became Zuffa’s most significant signing earlier this year after agreeing to a co promotional deal that was aimed at increasing his activity and visibility in the American market. Before Glanton emerged as the leading option, there had been speculation that Opetaia could pursue a unification bout against WBC titleholder Noel Mikaelian, though those talks did not advance.

Glanton, 33, enters the discussion following mixed results in 2025. He lost a twelve round decision to Chris Billam-Smith in April but later rebounded with a sixth round stoppage of Marcus Browne in October. The win over Browne represented one of the more notable victories of Glanton’s career and helped restore his standing after the title defeat earlier in the year.

Opetaia, 30, defended his IBF title three times in 2025. Those defenses ended inside the distance against David Nyika, Claudio Squeo, and Cinkara. He has remained unbeaten since turning professional and has continued to campaign exclusively in the cruiserweight division.

“I’m with Zuffa Boxing now,” Opetaia said in January following the announcement of the agreement. “I’m pumped for the future. Exciting times. Let’s get these big fights over the line.”

Further details regarding the bout, including its official status and placement on the card, are expected once terms are finalised and the promotion makes a formal announcement.