Dana White’s new Zuffa Boxing League has announced its first standalone event. It will take place on January 23, 2026 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, which is operated and owned by TKO Group Holdings.
The event will be streamed live on Paramount+, under the newly acquired Paramount+ media rights. It is scheduled one day before UFC 324, which is also the promotion’s first numbered card of 2026, and the first on the new streaming platform. However, fans were not impressed with the small-scale opening of the Zuffa Boxing Competition.
Many wondered how the promotion could choose to hold the event at the UFC Apex, which has limited capacity and is typically used for fight nights and weigh-ins.
While the date and location have been finalized, no fighters have been officially announced as of yet who will be part of this card. A few of the possible names include Callum Walsh, Jose Valenzuela, Radzhab Butaev, Justin Viloria, Misael Uziel Rodriguez and Vito Mielnicki Jr.
Rival promoters have already criticized Dana White and TKO director Nick Khan for not putting enough effort into Zuffa Boxing’s debut card.
Zuffa Boxing plans to host about a dozen events annually on Paramount+ and a few or more super fights per year.
Fans not happy with Zuffa Boxing’s debut at the UFC Apex
Senior Reporter at MMA Fighting, Damon Martin, broke the news of Zuffa Boxing’s debut card. Martin posted on X:
“Zuffa Boxing has officially scheduled its debut card for January 23, with the event being held at the UFC APEX, according to the Nevada Athletic Commission. The card will air on Paramount+. #UFC #Boxing”
Netizens were disappointed after noticing that Zuffa Boxing’s opening act will take place at the UFC Apex. Several of them criticized the choice of location and expressed their frustration with X, with the following post:
“Debut at the Apex really sets a certain tone.”
“Boy, we’re going to make you a star. You’re going to fight in Las Vegas! Whispers (in a warehouse…)”
“Dead on arrival lol”
“I can’t wait to not see this and never watch it again”
Check out some reactions below:
#Zuffa #Boxings #debut #announced #fans #disappointed