Undefeated four-division world champion Shakur Stevenson has signed a landmark multi-year, multi-fight promotional agreement with Zuffa Boxing, ending his high-profile stint as a free agent. The deal was officially announced on Thursday, July 9, 2026, by UFC CEO and Zuffa Boxing co-founder Dana White during a live appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter.
The timing of the reveal was particularly pointed, coming just minutes after a PBC card featuring Teofimo Lopez and Rolly Romero concluded its press conference.
Shakur Stevenson targets Gervonta Davis and Devin Haney for Zuffa debut
Stevenson, a 25-0 Newark native with 11 knockouts, confirmed the partnership had actually been in place for several weeks prior to the public announcement. The 29-year-old enters the Zuffa fold holding the WBO and The Ring junior welterweight titles, which he secured in January 2026 by defeating Teofimo Lopez via unanimous decision.
The signing is widely viewed as a “stark salvo” by TKO Group Holdings toward traditional promoters, as Zuffa targets a dominant position in the sport and looks to replicate the UFC’s centralized business model.
Immediately after finalizing his move, Stevenson went on record naming Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Devin Haney as the two opponents he believes will prove he is “the one” in the boxing world.
Both fighters represent the elite level of the 135 and 140-pound landscapes, and Stevenson’s focus on them underscores his desire to compete against the best possible opposition. Dana White echoed this enthusiasm, confirming that these are exactly the types of matchups Zuffa Boxing intended to facilitate when launching the brand.
Devin Haney appears to be the most likely candidate for Stevenson’s first bout under the new banner. The former undisputed lightweight champion has already been linked to a potential spot on the Zuffa roster, which would place both fighters under the same umbrella.
This internal alignment would bypass the typical hurdles of modern boxing negotiations, where conflicting network contracts often prevent top-tier athletes from meeting. Such a move would be a major step toward securing high-stakes championship bouts that fans have long demanded.
The pursuit of Gervonta Davis, however, presents a more complex logistical challenge. Davis is a cornerstone of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), which recently signed a landmark agreement to bring its events to DAZN.
While PBC’s flagship pay-per-view cards will continue via Prime Video, the brand’s primary ecosystem is now separate from Zuffa’s broadcast partnership with Paramount. For Stevenson to land the “glamour fight” against Davis, promoters may have to find a way to work across the divide, potentially sharing the stage to make the economics work.
Overhauling the championship structure with a one-belt system
A central component of the Zuffa vision is the implementation of a “one-belt” system, moving away from boxing’s traditional four-belt structure involving the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO.
Stevenson has been a vocal supporter of this change, arguing that a single championship per weight class would “clean the sport” and lead to more consistent matchups between the best fighters.
This philosophy aligns with Dana White’s career-long criticism of boxing’s fragmented landscape, which he believes often prevents the best from fighting the best due to sanctioning body politics.
This mission goes beyond mere marketing; Zuffa has reportedly supported new legislation in Congress that would allow promotional companies to act as sanctioning bodies. In recent years, the sport has seen how contract talks can delay major matches, and a centralized system is intended to eliminate these administrative barriers.
Stevenson currently carries significant prestige into this new system, as he was recently ranked No. 3 pound-for-pound by Ring Magazine and No. 5 by both ESPN and BoxingScene prior to his signing.
Zuffa Boxing’s growing roster and financial backing
The financial scale behind Zuffa Boxing is considerable, as it is a joint venture involving TKO Group Holdings and Saudi Arabian interests, including Sela and Turki Al-Sheikh. This backing allowed the company to participate in an intense free-agency battle for Stevenson’s signature.
Stevenson had previously been with Top Rank for his first 22 professional fights and reportedly turned down a $15 million, five-fight offer from them in 2024 before a short stint with Matchroom Boxing under the Riyadh Season banner.
Stevenson joined a roster that is expanding with both established names and rising stars.
The current Zuffa Boxing stable includes:
- Conor Benn: The British star who was previously the venture’s highest-profile signing.
- Jason Moloney: The former champion from Australia.
- Jai Opetaia: The Ring cruiserweight titleholder, who notably gave up his IBF belt to align with the Zuffa vision.
- Edgar Berlanga: A former challenger in the 168-pound division.
- Richardson Hitchins: A former titleholder at 140 pounds.
- Jose Valenzuela: The former 140-pound titleholder.
Dana White’s challenge in a fragmented promotional world
While the signing of a four-division world champion is a victory for Dana White, it highlights the “problem” of platform exclusivity. Unlike the UFC, where the organization owns the contracts of almost every major potential opponent, boxing’s leading stars are spread across DAZN, ESPN, and Prime Video.
White recently addressed Stevenson’s status, noting his age and record: “He’s 29 years old, undefeated and already a four-division world champion.” White called the agreement a “massive signing” and expressed his eagerness for the fighter’s debut.
The “one solution” for Stevenson’s ambitions may ultimately be co-promotion. If rivals like Ryan Garcia or Gervonta Davis remain on other platforms, Zuffa and Paramount may be forced to collaborate with DAZN to deliver the superfights Stevenson needs to prove he is “the one.”
Given that legacy fights often dictate the value of a promotional platform, the willingness to share the stage could determine the success of Zuffa’s foray into the sweet science. Stevenson remains confident, stating his vision now aligns with a promoter who can finally make the big fights happen without restriction.
