Zuffa Boxing roster – first wave of signees for Paramount+ venture

Boxing has recently seen the arrival of a new promotional force, with Zuffa Boxing joining the sport. Dana White & co helped stage the superfight between Canelo and Terence Crawford. Following the announcement of their first show, set to take place in January 2026, many have speculated how the Zuffa Boxing roster will look.

Some of the initial wave of signees have now been announced, with Zuffa set to host 12 shows in 2026.

Zuffa Boxing first show set for January 2026

2026 looks set to be a fascinating year for the boxing world. Zuffa Boxing will enter the sport with a broadcast deal with Paramount+.

TKO, the parent company of Zuffa, has its first show set for Friday, January 23, the day before UFC 324. 

The TKO president and COO, Mark Shapiro, announced the first show: “We are planning to launch our first fight on January 23, which is the night before our first UFC fight,” said Shapiro.

“So back to back nights, big weekend for TKO to say the least,” added Shapiro.

Zuffa also announced that it intends to host 12 shows throughout 2026 and make changes to the sport: “We’re going to start from the ground up,” White said. “We are already working on a new design for the ring.

“That meeting was yesterday, too. We had a huge design meeting for a new boxing ring,” said White.

The much-publicised amendments they wish to make to the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act have also split opinion in the boxing world, but they seem prepared to press on, despite widespread criticism.

First wave of signees revealed for Zuffa Boxing

Dan Rafael revealed some of Zuffa’s initial signees via his X account: “Per sources, some Zuffa Boxing signees for its league that begins in Jan & will stream on Paramount+: former WBA 140 titlist Jose Valenzuela; former WBA “regular” 147 titlist Radzhab Butaev; 130 Justin Viloria; 135 Eridson Garcia, who upset Taiga Imanaga on Inoue-Picasso card; 160 Vito Mielnicki, 168 Misael Rodriguez.”

It remains to be seen what other fighters will join Dana White & co. Jose Valenzuela is an interesting recruit who lost his WBA super lightweight title in his last fight against Gary Antuanne Russell. It will be fascinating to see how far Eridson Garcia can go following his career-best win over Taiga Imanaga on the Naoya Inoue vs Alan Picasso undercard.