Zuffa Boxing 04 results, highlights: Jai Opetaia wins inaugural Zuffa cruiserweight title vs. Brandon Glanton

Opetaia completely outclassed Glanton, collecting the Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight world title in his pursuit to become the undisputed champion

LAS VEGAS -- There can only be one first, and his name is Jai Opetaia. Boxing's top cruiserweight captured the inaugural Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight world championship with a masterclass against Brandon Glanton on Sunday.

Opetaia entered Zuffa Boxing 04 as the consensus best cruiserweight on Earth. He underscored that fact, pitching a near-perfect game on Sunday. His only blemish was a point deduction for holding in Round 11, which came after two previous penalties Glanton drew. All three judges scored the fight 119-106 in favor of Opetaia, who successfully defended The Ring cruiserweight title while winning the Zuffa crown.

Glanton tried to corner Opetaia early, but couldn't get ahead of Opetaia's movement. The Australian star stung him repeatedly with a piston-like left hand. Once Opetaia settled into the fight, he welcomed close-quarters combat. Most of the fight took place at close range. Both men ripped to the head and body, with Opetaia landing more volume, usually with more power. Glanton became increasingly frustrated as the fight progressed, jaw-jacking Opetaia and barreling into him. However, Glanton couldn't cover the skill gap with brute force or provocations.

Opetaia adds another title to his trophy case, but he's further from his goal to become an undisputed champion. Opetaia signed with Zuffa Boxing after well-deserved title unification fights eluded him. He sees Zuffa Boxing as his avenue to unifying titles. However, boxing politics reared its head the weekend of his title fight.

On Friday, Opetaia confirmed that he'd defend the IBF cruiserweight championship, which was displayed alongside his Ring cruiserweight title at the Zuffa Boxing 04 press conference. The next day, the IBF announced it would strip Opetaia of the IBF cruiserweight title if he stepped into the Zuffa Boxing ring on Sunday. Opetaia, who paid the required sanctioning fees to the IBF, per Zuffa promoter Dana White, made the walk anyway.

Post-fight, Opetaia confirmed his goals are unchanged. He wouldn't humor a potential move to heavyweight or focus on who he'd fight next. Instead, his singular goal is to become the undisputed champion.

Opetaia improved to a perfect 30-0 on Sunday. Glanton dropped to 21-4.

CBS Sports was with you throughout the entire way on Sunday with live results and highlights below.

Zuffa Boxing 04 fight card, results

• Jai Opetaia (c) def. Brandon Glanton via unanimous decision (119-106, 119-106, 119-106)
• Ricardo Salas def. Jesus Saracho via eighth-round TKO
• Pablo Rubio Jr. def. Adan Palma via unanimous decision (77-73, 77-73, 76-74)

[Mar 8, 2026 at 11:53 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Opetaia is the inaugural Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight world champion. Opetaia completely outclassed Glanton over 12 rounds at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas on Sunday. Opetaia stayed on his pedal for the first few rounds, catching Glanton with left hands as the underdog tried to corner him. The new Zuffa champ showed more willingness to engage as his confidence grew. Much of their fight was contested in close corners, ripping shots to the body and head. Opetaia regularly landed with more power. He wobbled Glanton in Round 12 but did not find the finish. Both fighters were deducted one point for holding; meanwhile, Glanton was deducted a second point for punching below the belt. All three judges scored the bout 119-106 in favor of Opetaia.

[Mar 8, 2026 at 11:49 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Opetaia bludgeons Glanton to the body. Great trunk movement from Glanton. Opetaia uncorks three more to the midsection. Glanton eats more short-range blows. Opetaia lands an uppercut as Glanton scores the right hook. Lots of holding in between. Opetaia buckles Glanton with 45 seconds left in the final round. Opetaia stays patient, throwing volume without overcommitting. Everything Opetaia throws is finding the mark. Opetaia lands one last uppercut before the bell. Unofficial score: 10-9 Opetaia (119-106 Opetaia)

[Mar 8, 2026 at 11:45 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Opetaia lands a left hook followed by a jab. Glanton starts talking to him. Glanton pushes him over in the clinch. He's pissed as the referee intervenes. The referee gives Glanton a verbal warning. The referee takes a point from Opetaia for holding. Opetaia takes the penalty out on Glanton with two hard body hooks. Glanton gives chase. Opetaia with a nasty uppercut. Glanton throws a right hook that has sweat flying off Opetaia's head. Glanton throws an uppercut directly to the cup. Opetaia is back after a very short pause. Opetaia stings him with a three-punch combination. Unofficial score: 10-9 Opetaia (109-97 Opetaia)

[Mar 8, 2026 at 11:41 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

It's business as usual from Opetaia. He continues winning the battle in close. Opetaia rips to the head and body. Opetaia starts unloading as Glanton covers up! The crowd is getting louder. Glanton responds with a huge right hand, his best shot of the fight. Opetaia eats it well, takes a moment, and gets back to action. Opetaia scores more combinations in tight. Unofficial score: 10-9 Opetaia (100-88 Opetaia)

[Mar 8, 2026 at 11:36 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Opeteia gets through with a left hook. Another one lands. Opetaia scores one to the body, then another to the head. Glanton is trying to make this a brawl, but Opetaia is eating him alive in close. Glanton has a nasty hematoma forming. Opetaia is punishing Glanton's body. A right hook stings Glanton. Opetaia slips. Opetaia sticks the jab. Unofficial score: 10-9 Opetaia (90-79)

[Mar 8, 2026 at 11:32 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Both men land jabs. Opetaia scores two overhand rights. Glanton responds with body hooks. Opetaia picks up the pace with a snappy three-punch combo. Glanton strays low with another punch. The referee takes another point from Glanton before the action resumes. Glanton barrels into Opetaia with body punches. Opetaia starts sticking punches. Glanton goes back to the body. This is arguably Glanton's best round, minus the penalty. Opetaia lands a left uppercut. Good dirty boxing from both guys. Unofficial score: 10-9 Opetaia (80-70 Opetaia)

[Mar 8, 2026 at 11:27 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Opetaia clocks Glanton with a left hand as soon as the round starts. He rattles off a combination that delights the crowd. Opetaia scores a right hook. Glanton is reaching with his strikes now. Opetaia catches Glanton coming in with that straight left. Opetaia rips to the body and then in tight. Glanton lands an overhand right. Opetaia lands uppercuts with both hands. Glanton sneaks in a shovel hook. Opetaia scores two to the body, Glanton returns one. Unofficial score: 10-9 Opetaia (70-62 Opetaia)

[Mar 8, 2026 at 11:23 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Glanton shows no quit. He keeps crashing into Opetaia and slugging it out. Opetaia rattles off a lightning-fast combination. Glanton eats it and returns fire. Opetaia digs uppercuts to the body. The referee halts the fight and takes a point from Glanton for excessive holding. Opetaia scores two punches in tight. Both guys rip to the body. Unofficial score: 10-9 Opetaia (60-53 Opetaia)

[Mar 8, 2026 at 11:20 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Opetaia leaps into an uppercut. Glanton rips. Opetaia scores another hard uppercut. Glanton throws a heavy right hand but gets countered! More dirty boxing. Glanton lands with power to the body. Opetaia cracks him with an uppercut. Opetaia lands a beautiful uppercut in close, followed by consecutive hooks that bounce Glanton's head. Opetaia sneaks a right uppercut under Glanton's guard. Glanton strays low. The fight resumes after a previous pause, but the bell sounds shortly after. Unofficial score: 10-9 Opetaia (50-45 Opetaia)

[Mar 8, 2026 at 11:14 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Glanton rushes Opetaia at the bell. Opetaia scores the uppercut. Glanton digs to the body. Opeteia punches into the clinch, and they exchange body shots. Glanton sneaks a left hook on the chin. A left hook momentarily stuns Glanton. He shells up as Opetaia throws four or five punches. Opetaia finds the home for a sneaky left uppercut. He's dialling up the pressure on Glanton. Glanton bullies his way into the corner. Glantonlands a solid straight right. Opetaia catches him with a right hook. Opetaia does great body work in the clinch. Opetaia catches Glanton rushing with an uppercut. Unofficial score: 10-9 Opetaia (40-36 Opetaia)

[Mar 8, 2026 at 11:10 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Opetaia opens with a jab. Glanton gives chase but can't get to his opponent. Opetaia sneaks through an uppercut. Glanton eats a jab, then rips to the body. Opetaia lands his patented left straight. And another one! Glanton makes it dirty, ripping to the body against the ropes. He's doing a slightly better job of trapping Opetaia. Opetaia sticks the right hand, then digs a left hook to the ribs. Both men land inside the clinch. Opetaia scores with the left hand. Glanton partially lands a left hook. Unofficial score: 10-9 Opetaia (30-27 Opetaia overall)

[Mar 8, 2026 at 11:06 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Opetaia throws a lightning-fast left hook. Glanton is having trouble tracking Opetaia down. Opetaia is picking up the activity, mixing up his offense. Glanton throws a hard overhand left. Opetaia responds with three punches. Glanton goes back to the body. Opetaia rips a left hook to the body, then a right hook upstairs. Glanton feels the heat and increases the pressure. Opetaia expertly slides away from Glanton's power. Glanton sneaks through with a straight right. Opetaia clearly has more pop behind his punches. Glanton eats a jab then chases after Opetaia. The Ring champ throws a two-punch combo. Glanton slips. Opetaia throws a three-punch combo before the bell. Another smooth round for the betting favorite. Unofficial score: 10-9 Opetaia (20-18 Opetaia overall)

[Mar 8, 2026 at 11:02 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Glanton takes the center. Opetaia stings him with a left straight. Glanton lands one to the body. Opetaia's piston-like left hand is so much faster than anything coming his way. Glanton keeps moving at angles, trying to caral Opetaia. The Ring champ stays on his bike. Glanton lands on the body. Opetaia scores two up top. Opetaia lands a left hook as Glanton dips for the midsection. OPetaia sticks a left uppercut to the body. Glanton throws a one-two, but it's blocked. Not much action, but Opetaia landed the cleaner strikes with more consistency. Unofficial score: 10-9 Opetaia

[Mar 8, 2026 at 10:51 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

The main event is imminent. Opetaia and Glanton fight for the inaugural Zuffa Boxing world cruiserweight championship, with Opetaia's The Ring cruiserweight title also at stake. Unfortunately for Opetaia, who's intent on becoming the undisputed champion, the IBF promised to strip him of the IBF cruiserweight title if he moved forward with tonight's fight. Opetaia must scrub that from his memory. He's standing across from knockout artist Glanton, who's looking to play spoiler and take the Zuffa spotlight for himself.