Dana White says Jai Opetaia vs. Noel Mikaelian is on despite a
cease-and-desist order from Don King.

IBF cruiserweight champion Opetaia is scheduled to fight WBC
champion Mikaelian at Zuffa Boxing on Sept. 12 at T-Mobile Arena in
Las Vegas. However, Mikaelian’s promoter, Don King Promotions, has
filed a cease-and-desist order against Zuffa Boxing to cancel the
bout.

Don King Promotions demands cancellation of Jai Opetaia vs.
Noel Mikaelian

DKP claims to be Mikaelian’s sole promoter and accused Zuffa of
trying to bypass them. While DKP was admittedly in talks with White
for the fight, the negotiations fell through. DKP also says that
Mikaelian is allowed to “discuss and explore” other fights, but
only with their approval, which he doesn’t have in this case. DKP
sent Zuffa a letter directing them to cancel the fight and stop
further business dealings with Mikaelian without their consent.

“This firm represents Don King Productions, Inc. (“DKP”), the
exclusive worldwide promoter of the World Boxing Council (“WBC”)
Cruiserweight Champion, Noel Mikaelian,” DKP wrote. “DKP has a
legally binding and valid Promotional Agreement (“Agreement”) with
Mikaelian that grants DKP the exclusive worldwide rights to engage
Mikaelian’s services for any and all professional boxing matches.
It has come to DKP’s attention that TKO Group Holdings, Inc. and
Zuffa Boxing (collectively, “TKO/Zuffa”) have engaged the
professional boxing services of Mikaelian, without DKP’s
permission, consent or authorization, to engage in a bout against
Jai Opetaia (“Opetaia”) on September 12, 2026 in Las Vegas, NV (the
“Bout”). TKO/Zuffa’s actions are outrageous and a clear tortious
interference with DKP’s Agreement…TKO/Zuffa must immediately cancel
the Bout between Mikaelian and Opetaia and announce such
cancellation in the media immediately. Furthermore, TKO/Zuffa
cannot engage Mikaelian for any match without DKP’s express,
written consent and permission. DKP has not and does not give
TKO/Zuffa permission to negotiate with Mikaelian or to engage him,
directly or indirectly, in any professional fights. TKO/Zuffa is
hereby directed to immediately cease and desist its actions and to
have no further communications and/or business dealings of any kind
with Mikaelian.”

However, White insists that Mikaelian and Opetaia are fighting this
weekend in Las Vegas. While the
Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO didn’t divulge any details,
he claims to have a good relationship with Don King and denies any
interference with Mikaelian’s contract

“He’s fighting this weekend,” White said at the post-fight presser
following
Week 5 of
Dana White’s Contender Series. “This f*cking sport is the most
unsophisticated sport that I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s f*cked
up for a reason. I’ve always had good dealings with Don. Have you
ever seen a scenario where we go and try to interfere with
somebody’s contract? We don’t do it.”