Australia’s Jai Opetaia has been sensationally stripped of the IBF title – and for a second time – following his controversial decision to become the poster boy of Dana White’s hyped new Zuffa Boxing promotion.

Only a fortnight after becoming the inaugural Zuffa cruiserweight champion, Opetaia has again been stripped by IBF officials, and despite the undefeated Central Coast product’s team having promised legal action over the issue.

Opetaia still retains his Ring championship strap, and of course his tag of being the biggest name anywhere in the division.

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Early on Monday morning, IBF officials confirmed Opetaia had been stripped in a letter that was quickly circulated by US boxing media.

Back in 2023, the Aussie was also stripped of his IBF crown after receiving a “career high” payday from Turki al-Sheikh to fight on an Anthony Joshua undercard.

Instead of taking his mandatory rematch with Maris Briedis, Opetaia instead fought, and beat, Ellis Zorro – before then regaining his vacant strap six months later.

Now this latest IBF decision comes only weeks after the big punching southpaw claimed the inaugural Zuffa cruiserweight crown.

Headlining for the first time in Las Vegas, Opetaia left American rival Brandon Glanton so battered in their March 9 championship bout, the challenger’s iPhone facial ID feature failed to unlock for several days.

While Team Opetaia had expected the IBF would allow their fighter to keep his crown, and pursue his dream of becoming undisputed champ, the sanctioning body has instead stripped the belt.

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The decision is due to them not recognizing the Zuffa crown that was at stake against Glanton

Initially, the IBF withdrew its sanction just days before the Las Vegas bout, however the Australian’s team had expected their man to still keep the strap.

That hasn’t happened

“On March 19, 2026, the IBF Board of Directors met via teleconference to address the status of the IBF Cruiserweight title held by Jai Opetaia,” the IBF revealed. “At the conclusion of the meeting, the Board voted to vacate the title pursuant to Rule 5.H.”

Rule 5.H. states: “An Unsanctioned Contest is a fight which the IBF has not formally approved for sanction or where sanction has been formally withdrawn. If a Champion participates in an unsanctioned contest within his prescribed weight limit, the title will be declared vacant whether the Champion wins or loses the bout.”

Fighting for the inaugural Zuffa cruiserweight title, Opetaia defeated Glanton by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 119-106.

When signing on with White’s new boxing promotion – which has its own Zuffa championship belts — Opetaia had expressed his desire to not only keep the IBF title, but also pursue the WBA, WBC and WBO belt.