Zuffa Boxing’s First Event Announced

Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing is officially launching its first event on January 23 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. 

This debut marks the beginning of a broadcast partnership with Paramount+, occurring just one night before the first UFC event on the same platform. Led by White and TKO executive Nick Khan, the promotion plans to stage 12 events in 2026, focusing on a “league” format where rising prospects are given a chance to shine.

Zuffa Boxing intends to have its own titles and maintain its own rankings, bypassing the four major sanctioning bodies (WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF). While the official card for January 23 has not been fully confirmed, prospects like Callum Walsh, Jose Valenzuela, and Justin Viloria are heavily rumored to be part of the inaugural roster. The move has drawn criticism from rival promoters like Eddie Hearn and Oscar De La Hoya, who have questioned the organization.

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“You’ve got to come out of the blocks with a bang, you can’t come out with something lame. What are you going to do, do a show in the Apex to launch TKO Boxing? The worst thing they could do is come out with something poor… If they get it wrong and it stinks the place out in January? It would be a disaster.”

“I don’t want a new belt. I don’t want to change the ring. I’m going boxing—this is in my blood. We need to make great fights, not reinvent the sport… No fighter with ambition wants to fight for a Zuffa Boxing belt,” Hearn said

“I don’t really see it as competition. I’m a serious promoter… This is more like a reality show, a game show or something. I don’t really see it as real boxing and competition. I’m just gonna stick to my lane… and promote what we know best,” De La Hoya said 

“Is there any young boxer that’s crazy enough to f**k their careers by signing with your s**t league? They want their own rules, their own belts, their own ring… Everything you touch turns to absolute s**t,” De La Hoya added