Zuffa Boxing is reportedly finalizing plans for a major fight card in New York City on Friday, July 26, 2026, featuring a lineup of local stars including Edgar Berlanga and Richardson Hitchins. According to reports from Dan Rafael, the event will also include Ukrainian veteran Sergiy Derevyanchenko, marking a significant push into the East Coast market for the promotion founded by Dana White and Turki Al-Sheikh. While the trio of fighters is expected to anchor the card, Zuffa Boxing has not yet officially confirmed a specific venue or opponents for the summer date.
The move into New York highlights the promotion’s strategy to bypass the traditional “slow build” of unknown prospects in favor of signing established, recognizable American talent. By targeting fighters with deep roots in the city, such as Brooklyn’s Hitchins and the Puerto Rican-backed Berlanga, Zuffa is positioning itself to compete directly with established entities like Matchroom and Top Rank. This expansion comes as the joint venture between TKO Group Holdings and Sela aims to deliver between 12 and 16 events throughout 2026.
Edgar Berlanga enters the planned July card looking to build on a recent return to the win column. The super middleweight, who holds a 23-2 record with 18 KOs, most recently secured a first-round knockout over Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz in March 2025. This victory followed a challenging period where Berlanga suffered a fifth-round knockout loss to Hamzah Sheeraz in July 2025 and a unanimous decision defeat against Canelo Alvarez in September 2024. Despite those setbacks, Berlanga remains a significant draw in the city and has claimed that he has “found my motivation again” under the new banner.
Richardson Hitchins joins NYC card in new weight class
Richardson Hitchins brings an undefeated 20-0 record to the New York event. The Brooklyn fighter had a productive 2025, which included a successful defense of his IBF junior welterweight title via an eighth-round stoppage of George Kambosos Jr. in June. After signing with Zuffa Boxing, Hitchins vacated his 140-pound title and announced his intention to campaign at the 147-pound welterweight limit. He has described the move as a major step toward proving he is a “generational fighter.”
The inclusion of 40-year-old Sergiy Derevyanchenko adds a layer of veteran experience to the roster. Derevyanchenko is coming off a sixth-round stoppage victory against Jeremy Ramos in July 2025, rebounding from a previous decision loss to Christian Mbilli. Known for challenging elite champions like Gennadiy Golovkin and Jaime Munguia, the Ukrainian fighter—who is based in New York—stated that this deal represents a “new chapter” to finish unfinished business in the ring.
Zuffa Boxing operates under a distinct philosophy that ignores traditional sanctioning body rankings in favor of high-value streaming content. For fans in the United States, Canada, and Latin America, these events stream exclusively on Paramount+. The promotion’s rapid signing of titleholders like Hitchins and high-profile contenders like Berlanga underscores its intent to secure market share quickly. Meanwhile, international viewers often see these cards through a multi-year broadcast deal with Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.
Zuffa Boxing shifts focus to New York gates
While the promotion has frequently utilized the Meta APEX in Las Vegas for its monthly numbered events, the July 26 card represents a shift toward public venues that can host local fanbases. Events at the Meta APEX generally carry a fixed premium price point, with tickets starting at $2102 and averaging the same amount per Vivid Seats data. A New York City venue would allow for larger crowds and a more traditional boxing atmosphere, which Berlanga and Hitchins have traditionally thrived in.
The aggressive scheduling of 12 to 16 events in 2026 suggests Zuffa is moving to capitalize on a fluid landscape in the sport. While other major heavyweight interests are dealing with contract disputes that stall negotiations, Zuffa appears focused on securing local dates and fast-tracking their signed athletes into meaningful appearances. Following the New York show, the promotion’s focus will likely turn back to its scheduled fall dates as it settles into its 2026 calendar.
The following participants are expected for the Zuffa Boxing NYC card planned for July 26 in New York City:
- Edgar Berlanga (Expected to appear)
- Richardson Hitchins (Expected to appear)
- Sergiy Derevyanchenko (Expected to appear)
As of May 21, 2026, the official list of specific matchups and opponents for the July 26 NYC card has not yet been announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Zuffa Boxing New York event scheduled to take place?
The event is planned for Friday, July 26, 2026. While an official venue within New York City has not yet been confirmed by the promotion, the date has been widely reported by boxing insiders with knowledge of the plans.
Which fighters are expected to compete on the July 26 card?
The card is expected to feature super middleweight Edgar Berlanga, welterweight contender Richardson Hitchins, and veteran Sergiy Derevyanchenko. Specific opponents for these three fighters have not yet been named by Zuffa Boxing.
How can fans watch the Zuffa Boxing NYC card?
In the United States, Canada, and Latin America, the event will stream live and on-demand exclusively on Paramount+. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the card is expected to be distributed via Sky Sports as part of their ongoing broadcast partnership.
