Story perspectives

Shakur Stevenson signs Zuffa deal, eyes big-name rivals

7/10/2026

Summary

Stevenson Signs Zuffa

Shakur Stevenson (25-0, 11 KOs) signed a deal with Zuffa Boxing, announced by Dana White on ESPN.
Stevenson won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight title with a unanimous decision over Teofimo Lopez Jr. on Jan. 31 in New York.
Because Zuffa lacks a 140-pound division and strained ties with sanctioning bodies, Stevenson may change weight class, vacate his WBO title and target Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia.

Summary

Zuffa Pursues Boxing

Zuffa executives say signing boxer Stevenson is intended to turn the company from a UFC-linked experiment into an independent boxing power broker.
The promotion has not yet selected a broadcast partner, leaving the format of Stevenson’s fights—pay-per-view, streaming, or hybrid—undecided.
Critics note that Zuffa’s initial rollout relied on a novelty “Zuffa belt” and name-dropping but failed to deliver marquee fights.

Summary

McKenna Title Clash

Zuffa Boxing 10 is scheduled for August 8 at Dublin’s 3Arena and will stage a middleweight world title clash between Ireland’s Aaron McKenna and Italy’s Etinosa Oliha.
Ticket sales for the event are being processed through Ticketmaster.ie.
The full card will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Stevenson, a teenage Olympic silver medalist, entered the ring to “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” and vowed to beat all top lightweight opponents.

Summary

Stevenson Sets 2026

Zuffa Boxing’s joint venture ties the promotion to Saudi Arabia’s entertainment arm, led by General Entertainment Authority chairman Turki Alalshikh, the “big dog” behind the deal.
The Zuffa roster now includes Edgar Berlanga, Richardson Hitchins and Conor Benn.
Devin Haney must first defend against Keyshawn Davis before a Stevenson-Haney bout can proceed.
Stevenson has outlined a two-fight-per-year plan for 2026 to gain greater control over his schedule under Zuffa.

History

Historical Context

In 2001, Zuffa LLC purchased the Ultimate Fighting Championship for $2 million, transforming a struggling mixed-martial-arts league into a global brand. Founders Frank Fertitta III and Lorenzo Fertitta appointed Dana White as president, and UFC’s TV-ratings rose 300 percent within three years. Today, Zuffa Boxing’s 2024 contract with rising star Shakur Stevenson echoes that expansion, as Dana White announced it on ESPN, seeking UFC-style market disruption. If the venture succeeds, Zuffa could dominate both combat sports, forcing traditional promoters like Top Rank and Matchroom to renegotiate broadcast deals and talent contracts.

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Stevenson Signs Zuffa

Shakur Stevenson (25-0, 11 KOs) signed a deal with Zuffa Boxing, announced by Dana White on ESPN.
Stevenson won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight title with a unanimous decision over Teofimo Lopez Jr. on Jan. 31 in New York.
Because Zuffa lacks a 140-pound division and strained ties with sanctioning bodies, Stevenson may change weight class, vacate his WBO title and target Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia.

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