Dana White's Zuffa Boxing Launch Gains Momentum After Team David Benavidez Signs New Promotional Agreement

Dana White will make history on January 23, one day before the UFC begins a new era with the debut of the Paramount-Skydance broadcast, when Zuffa Boxing hosts its first event. While the release sparked shockwaves in the boxing world, it has triggered widespread speculation and rumors. Who will be featured on the card? A lot of famous individuals were announced amid reports that around 200 competitors have signed on to usher in the new era, as well as White and Nick Khan's visit to the USA Boxing National Championship.


Zuffa seems to have a few hits. Dan Rafael presented several potential recruits to Dana White's boxing promotion. Nevertheless, it appears to have missed the target in a few cases. Promoters, the old establishments, appear to be delivering fierce and stiff competition.


The point is highlighted by the most recent incident that involves Vito Mielnicki Jr., the middleweight contender, who also seems to be on Rafael’s list, and he believes it to be more beneficial to work with star David Benavidez's stable.




What’s in it for Zuffa boxing as it begins?


Fortunately, rumor mills went into overdrive after that. Vito’s ability to become one of Zuffa's top prospects grew clearer. And it seems that Mielnicki and his group actually received an offer, but they declined the offer and refused to sign the contract. In April, Vito Mielnicki Jr. will be expected to start his new contract with Sampson Promotions in Atlantic City.


A Rafael posted a list of potential Zuffa Boxing members two days ago. Among those was former 140-pound champion Jose Valenzuela, who, interestingly, trained under David Benavidez’s father, Jose Benavidez Sr.


"Some Zuffa #Boxing signees for its league that starts in January & will stream on Paramount+, according to sources: former WBA 140 titlist Jose Valenzuela; former WBA "regular" 147 titlist Radzhab Butaev; 130 Justin Viloria; 135 Eridson Garcia, who upset Taiga Imanaga on the Inoue-Picasso card; 160 Vito Mielnicki; and 168 Misael Rodriguez," he stated.


Some fans were shocked as they discovered that Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez is also one of Zuffa's rumored additions. Benavidez and Mielnicki featured on the same card as him. Despite this, the unified junior bantamweight champion, who was raised in San Antonio, signed a contract with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing for the fight against Puma Martinez.


There’s a debate about how Zuffa Boxing could grow in light of TKO's proposed Ali Act restoration and its inclusion of the UBOs, which indicates the creation of UFC-style boxing promotion. Further interest has been created by revelations about its alleged paydays. Fans are therefore eager to see who will eventually join Dana White's boxing endeavor and who might appear at its first event.


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