Jai Opetaia vs. Brandon Glanton: Five signature fights from the Australian before Zuffa debut

The undefeated Australian is in Las Vegas to kickstart his Zuffa career tonight against Brandon Glanton, even as it comes with some major caveats.

For the second time in his career, Opetaia looks set to be forced to vacate his major title after the governing body refused to sanction this contest.

Now, the star must keep his focus on the task at hand - and as he does, DAZN News looks back on five signature fights he has delivered to get to this point.

Becoming a world champion while overcoming adversity; July 2022

Mark Robinson, Matchroom

Jai Opetaia had to overcome a fractured jaw against Mairis Briedis to become the new IBF and The Ring cruiserweight world champion. Opetaia frustrated Briedis with footwork and hand speed, doing his damage early to stave off a late rally by the latter in this war.

At the end of 12 action-packed rounds, judges scored it 116-112, 115-113 and 116-112 all in favor of Opetaia as he was crowned world champion for the first time.

Crushing Jordan Thompson at OVO Arena Wembley; September 2023

Giving up five inches in height against a large Jordan Thompson did not matter much to Opetaia who walked down and punished the then-undefeated Brit, leaving him a bloodied mess.

Opetaia battered Thompson early and proved he was levels above before applying the finishing touches in the fourth round. That’s when the Australian warrior brushed Thompson back with a crushing left hook before closing the show with a laser-like left for the rousing TKO victory.

Proving his dominance with Briedis sequel in Riyadh; May 2024

Another fight against Briedis spelled another bloodbath with both men suffering a broken nose in the sequel. Once again, Opetaia had to overcome a late rally from Briedis, but he was up on the scorecards from his earlier pointed work that it did not matter. By the end of Ring of Fire in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Opetaia claimed yet another unanimous decision over his rival.

Flattening Jack Massey for titles defense; October 2024

‘One Smack’ Jack Massey fought and went the distance with Joseph Parker at heavyweight before, providing Opetaia with a battle-tested opponent to figure out.

And Opetaia did just that, using pinpoint shot selection and hand speed to split Massey’s guard early, before hitting the British fighter with clean shots at will. The beating was so lopsided that it forced Massey’s corner to throw in the towel with about a minute left in the sixth round, cementing Opetaia’s masterclass championship defense.

Overwhelming David Nyika in Australia; January 2025

A raucous one-two ending in a left hook rocked David Nyika late in the second round and it was rather foreshadowing. During the fourth round, Opetaia unloaded a left hook to swivel Nyika’s jaw before detonating a right hand onto the New Zealander’s chin for an electric knockdown.

Nyika would courageously make it up to his feet, but an explosive overhand right followed by a left-right-left combo would put him down for good seconds later for the exclamation point fourth-round knockout.

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