Opetaia defeats Glanton, wins inaugural Zuffa World cruiserweight title

Jai Opetaia (30-0, 23 KOs) defeated Brandon Glanton (21-4, 18 KOs) via unanimous decision on Sunday night in Las Vegas, in the fight for inaugural Zuffa World cruiserweight title.

All three judges scored the fight 119:106 in favor of Opetaia.

“It was all right,” Opetaia said. “I knew Brandon was going to be tough as nails. I’m happy I got the win and enter this next chapter as the Zuffa champion.”

There was drama between Opetaia and the IBF leading up to the fight. Opetaia entered the bout as the IBF cruiserweight champion but might be stripped of the title after the IBF refused to sanction the fight Friday, issuing a statement that it was misled that Zuffa’s championship would be little more than an item that was “characterized as a trophy or token of recognition.”