Four-division world champion Shakur Stevenson has officially signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing, the promotional venture backed by UFC CEO Dana White, Sela, and TKO Group Holdings. The 29-year-old Newark native, undefeated in 25 professional bouts with 11 knockouts, joins the organization to pursue high-profile matchups and cement his status as the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter. Having won an Olympic silver medal as a teenager, Stevenson has secured world titles in the featherweight, super-featherweight, lightweight, and super-lightweight/junior welterweight divisions.
Shakur Stevenson Finalizes Multi-Fight Agreement with Zuffa Boxing
Strategic Partnership and Financial Backing
Stevenson, a former Olympic silver medalist, confirmed the agreement after months of speculation regarding his future as a free agent. According to Sports Illustrated, the move was finalized in part due to the significant financial resources behind the Zuffa brand. Stevenson described the arrangement as a “partnership” that grants him greater input into his career trajectory compared to his previous promotional setups. “This was the right deal for me because obviously they got the big money behind them,” Stevenson said. “Also they’re ready to put me in the biggest fights possible. And I just feel like it’s that time in my career, I feel like now we’re ready to fight the biggest fights and fight the best fighters and see who is who.”
For Dana White, the signing represents a major acquisition for the burgeoning promotion. “Shakur is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. He’s 29 years old, undefeated and already a four-division world champion,” White said. “This is a massive signing for Zuffa Boxing, and I’m looking forward to promoting this next fight.”
Turki Alalshikh and the Pursuit of Devin Haney and Gervonta Davis
Targeting Elite Opponents and Future Fights
Despite his new contract, Stevenson is focused on specific marquee names rather than organizational politics. He has publicly identified Devin Haney and Gervonta Davis as his primary targets for his first fight with Zuffa Boxing. Stevenson dismissed the necessity of belts or promotional barriers, telling Sports Illustrated that he believes the influence of Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, can bridge divides between rival promoters. “All of boxing is under one umbrella, however we want to look at it,” Stevenson noted. “We could play as though these beefs and these wars, but they all got to answer to the big dog. That’s Turki.”
Regarding a potential bout with Haney, a 147-pound titleholder, Stevenson emphasized that the prestige of the fight supersedes the need for championship belts. “The Devin Haney fight is just so big to where me and him could fight and no belts need to even be talked about,” he stated. Stevenson explicitly ruled out a matchup with José “Rayo” Valenzuela, a fellow Zuffa signee, stating that he does not find the potential fight interesting based on his assessment of Valenzuela’s previous performances, specifically noting a past loss to Gary Antuanne Russell.
Shakur Stevenson Targets 2026 Return Following Teofimo Lopez Jr. Victory
Zuffa Boxing’s Roster and Future Schedule
The addition of Stevenson follows a series of aggressive talent acquisitions by Zuffa, including Conor Benn, Jai Opetaia, Richardson Hitchins, and Edgar Berlanga. Stevenson plans to maintain a schedule of two fights per year, with the intention to fight again in 2026. His transition to Zuffa comes on the heels of a January 31 victory over Teofimo Lopez Jr., which secured him the WBO junior welterweight title via unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden. Stevenson previously dominated elite fighters including Oscar Valdez, William Zepeda, and Robson Conceicao.
Aaron McKenna and Etinosa Oliha Headline Zuffa Boxing 10 in Dublin
As Zuffa continues to build its stable, the promotion is also preparing for its upcoming event, Zuffa Boxing 10: McKenna vs. Oliha, which takes place at Dublin’s 3Arena on Saturday, August 8. The bill is topped by a middleweight world championship clash between Ireland’s Aaron McKenna and Italy’s Etinosa Oliha, and will air live on Sky Sports. Stevenson, who has demonstrated his commitment to the new venture, noted, “With all due respect to Zuffa, I appreciate them too for giving me this opportunity and I’m down with them just as much as they’re down with me.”
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