\n<\/p>\n
Per a report from Zuffa Boxing, Ring Magazine and Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight champion, Jai Opetaia<\/strong>, will battle it out against current WBC division king, Noel Mikaelian<\/strong>, as the co-main event for the star-studded event, which will stream live on Paramount+, as well as live on DAZN in the UK.<\/p>\n Opetaia comes in with a record of 30-0 (23 knockouts) and made his successful Zuffa Boxing debut by defeating Brandon Glanton<\/strong> via unanimous decision earlier this year to win the promotions inaugural title. Opetaia was targeting a fight against current WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion, David Benavidez<\/strong>, but it seems the two parties just couldn\u2019t come to terms, which didn\u2019t sit right with Opetaia.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a huge card, and I look forward to showing the world once again why I\u2019m the best cruiserweight on the planet,\u201d Opetaia said in a press release issued by Zuffa Boxing. \u201cCredit to Noel for stepping up to the plate while others \u2013 yes, David Benavidez, I\u2019m talking about you \u2013 continue to run and hide.\u201d<\/p>\n Of course, Benavidez has stated time and again that he has no interest at the moment going after the Zuffa belt \u2014 or even partnering with the promotion \u2014 and recently moved up to Light Heavyweight to defeat Zurdo Ramirez<\/strong> to take his WBA and WBC straps (see it again here).<\/p>\n As for the man stuck in the middle of the beef, Noel Mikaelian,<\/strong> he comes in with a 28-3 record and won the WBC cruiserweight title by defeating Badou Jack<\/strong> via unanimous decision in Dec. 2025. In an interesting note, a title unification fight between Mikaelian and Benavidez was ordered by the powers that be earlier this year, and the two sides were in active discussions before the sudden pivot. At the moment, only Opetaia\u2019s Ring belt is set to be on the line on Sept. 12.<\/p>\n Opetaia was one of Zuffa Boxing\u2019s first major signings, so it only makes sense to have him on the card, which is the promotion\u2019s biggest solo event since its inception as it features another one of the company\u2019s other big signings, Conor Benn, attempting to take the WBC Welterweight strap from Ryan Garcia, who is under contract with Golden Boy Promotions.<\/p>\n