Boxing News Today: More Zuffa Dates, Bam vs Inoue, & Lawrence Okolie Latest

Alan Dawson
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Boxing News Today: More Zuffa Dates, Bam vs Inoue, & Lawrence Okolie Latest

There are more dates being added to Zuffa Boxing’s calendar, after the upstart fight firm booked five events already in 2026.

Though Zuffa has long been a concept in the making, it only organized and held its first event at the beginning of 2026, coinciding with fellow TKO Group company UFC’s new partnership with broadcaster Paramount+.

To date, Callum Walsh overcame Carlos Ocampo to continue his progression and development as one of Dana White’s favorite fighters, Jose Valenzuela defeated Diego Torres to give an indication he could become the company’s first lightweight champion, and Efe Ajagba battered Charles Martin. Last month, Jai Opetaia lifted the Zuffa cruiserweight belt after besting Brandon Glanton. And, most recently, Zuffa Boxing held an event with Andres Cortes and Eridson Garcia headlinine at lightweight.

Now, Zuffa is reportedly planning a summer event.

According to Boxing Social’s Matt Brown, who also founded the Brunch Boxing site, Zuffa “is targeting an early summer date” for an event outside the Meta Apex — the UFC-owned, small hall venue in Las Vegas. This event is expected to take place in the summer, and could see new signing Brandun Lee compete.

This show would take place after Zuffa Boxing 06, which the company recently confirmed for May 10 featuring Shane Mosley Jr. and Serhii Bohachuk in the main event.

Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez vs Naoya Inoue in Near Future

Jesse Bam Rodriguez - Jesse Rodriguez

Also today, news of a future fight between pound-for-pound caliber fighters, Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez and Naoya Inoue continues to gather pace.

Inoue has long been linked with various big-name American fighters. He did, after all, seemingly try to break ground with US audiences by competing on a Cinco de Mayo date, last year, but only filling around one-third of the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas against Ramon Cardenas.

A fighter like Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis would no doubt help Inoue fill venues. However, ahead of the Cardenas fight, Inoue’s handlers implored media members to stop asking questions about ‘Tank’.

An alternative A-side could be Rodriguez. Though ‘Bam’ lacks the box office appeal of ‘Tank’, Rodriguez is more decorated a fighter.

And a bout against Inoue is something Jesse’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, described today as “inevitable.”

All The Latest Lawrence Okolie News

Okolie Billam-Smith

And, finally, here’s a running order of the news we ran regarding Lawrence Okolie, an adverse finding, and the status of his fight with Tony Yoka.

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Alan Dawson is Boxing Social's editor. He is also a columnist for Uncrowned at Yahoo Sports, and the founder-moderator of Boxing Twitter — a 20,000-strong community on X. A 17-year sports media veteran, Alan has enjoyed extensive stints at Business Insider as a correspondent, BT Sport as digital editor, and Give Me Sport as combat sports editor. He is a 2-time Sports Journalist of the Year finalist and has been honored six times by the Boxing Writers Association of America. Alan grew up near London but is based in Nevada with his young family. Outside boxing he plays 8-handicap golf, hikes, and rides his ebike through the Sierra mountain trails.

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