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Cruiserweight Champions Jai Opetaia & Noel Mikaelian
Collide In Garcia vs. Benn Co-Feature On Sept. 12
Zuffa Boxing and Ring world champion Jai Opetaia will face
two-time world champion Noel Mikaelian on Saturday,
September 12, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Opetaia vs. Mikaelian will serve as the co-feature to the
welterweight super fight between reigning champion Ryan
Garcia and British star Conor Benn. The entire Garcia vs.
Benn card will stream exclusively on Paramount+ at no
additional cost to subscribers in all markets globally
outside of the UK and Ireland, where it will be available
via DAZN PPV.
Opetaia (30-0, 23 KOs), the Australian southpaw who ranks
among the sport’s pound-for-pound best, will make the eighth
defense of the Ring title he captured in July 2022. After
three stoppage victories in 2025, Opetaia made history in
March at ZUFFA BOXING 4, becoming the promotion’s inaugural
champion with a one-sided decision over Brandon Glanton.
“This is a huge card, and I look forward to showing the
world once again why I'm the best cruiserweight on the
planet,” Opetaia said. “Credit to Noel for stepping up to
the plate while others — yes, David Benavidez, I’m talking
about you — continue to run and hide.”
“This is a massive fight for Jai, and it’s refreshing to see
a top-tier cruiserweight step forward when so many continue
to avoid the challenge,” said Mick Francis, Opetaia’s
longtime manager. “He’s proud to defend the Zuffa Boxing and
Ring titles on the biggest stage.”
“When I step into the ring on September 12 against Jai
Opetaia in Las Vegas, I intend to defend my world
championship. This is the fight I’ve wanted since becoming a
two-time world champion, and I’m ready to deliver,”
Mikaelian said. “I haven’t fought since December 2025
because of circumstances outside of my control. I refused to
stay inactive. Champions are meant to defend their titles,
and that’s exactly what I’m prepared to do.”
"My job has always been to put Noel in the best position to
succeed. More than 60 days after Noel vs. David Benavidez
was ordered, we still haven’t received a bona fide offer.
Noel wasn’t going to sit on the sidelines any longer,” said
Anthony Girges, Mikaelian’s advisor. “This isn’t just about
two champions in Noel and Opetaia. It’s about protecting the
integrity of the sport and making the fights the fans
deserve.”
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