Dylan Eagleson, the 23-year-old Commonwealth Games gold medalist from Bangor, Northern Ireland, has formally signed a long-term promotional agreement with Zuffa Boxing. The standout amateur is set to make his professional debut on Saturday, August 8, 2024, at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. The event, titled Zuffa Boxing 10, represents the promotion’s first-ever show in Ireland and its second event held outside the United States.
The southpaw prospect joins the professional ranks with an extensive amateur pedigree, including a gold medal for Northern Ireland at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and a silver at the 2022 European Championships in Yerevan. Dylan Eagleson has also dominated the domestic circuit, securing the 2023 Irish National Championship and various age-group titles.
For his debut, he is scheduled to compete in a six-round featherweight bout, with an opponent expected to be named in the coming weeks.
“I’m buzzing to have signed with Zuffa, the biggest promotion in the game,” Dylan Eagleson said regarding the deal. He emphasized that the backing of UFC president Dana White and the television platform provided by Sky Sports were critical factors in his decision.
The move follows a period where other fighters have expressed mixed feelings about the current promotional landscape, such as when Jack Catterall called for world title opportunities after establishing his own career momentum.
Zuffa Boxing 10 brings world title action to Dublin
Zuffa Boxing 10 will be headlined by a high-stakes middleweight clash between Aaron McKenna and Etinosa Oliha. The two undefeated fighters will compete for the vacant IBF middleweight title, ensuring that Dylan Eagleson’s debut takes place on a card of international significance. Aaron McKenna, representing Ireland, brings a 20-0 record into the ring against the 22-0 Etinosa Oliha from Italy.
The co-main event features another prominent Irish talent, as Callum Walsh (16-0) faces off against the UK’s Tyler Denny. This event serves as a platform for Zuffa to showcase its developmental talent alongside established champions. It mirrors the high-pressure environments often found in major events where fighters target major showdowns to prove their elite status within their respective weight classes.
Dylan Eagleson’s transition from the amateur ranks
Dylan Eagleson concluded his amateur career with a record of 56 wins and 13 losses, having fought at the North Down Boxing Club under trainers Bogdan Tudoran and Lesley Wellard McMillan.
Standing at 5 ft 5 in, his southpaw style and championship experience at the Commonwealth and European levels make him a formidable addition to the 126-pound division. Professionals often face a hurdle adapting to the lack of headgear, a point of discussion that com/oleksandr-usyk-brain-health-dubois-wardley-usyk-brain-health-dubois-wa/”>Oleksandr Usyk has noted when discussing the physical demands of long-term professional careers.
The August 8 card will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, while Paramount+ will stream the action for viewers in the United States, Canada, and Australia. This global distribution suggests Zuffa intends to provide its roster with maximum visibility from their very first professional outing.
Ticket information for the 3Arena show is expected to be announced shortly as the promotion prepares for its first foray into the Republic of Ireland.
The growth of Zuffa Boxing in 2024
Zuffa Boxing, a joint venture launched in 2025 by TKO Group Holdings and Sela, has been steadily building its footprint. The Dublin event follows Zuffa Boxing 07 in Bournemouth, England, which took place on June 6, 2026. The company also has upcoming dates scheduled for Las Vegas and New York City.
Dana White has indicated that the public will see the full results of the promotion’s vision, which focuses on internal titles and tournament formats, by the end of the year.
The signing of Dylan Eagleson comes amid a broader push to recruit top-tier regional talent. While Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn has been critical of the Zuffa model and its treatment of fighters, the promotion continues to expand its roster.
For Dylan Eagleson, the move represents the start of a journey he hopes will lead to world championship honors, supported by the largest infrastructure in combat sports.
