​In a landmark move, Zuffa Boxing announced on Thursday that it has signed four-division champion Shakur Stevenson to a multi-fight promotional deal. Stevenson, ranked No. 4 on Uncrowned’s pound-for-pound list, currently holds the WBO super lightweight title, a belt he captured with a commanding performance against Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden in January. The signing marks a major milestone for the fledgling promoter, as Stevenson becomes its most high-profile and accomplished fighter to join the fold to date. He joins a growing roster that includes rising talents such as Conor Benn, Richardson Hitchins, Edgar Berlanga, and Jai Opetaia, the latter also featuring in Uncrowned’s pound-for-pound Top 10.
“Line them up, one by one, and I’ll beat all the top guys once I get them in front of me,” Stevenson declared, carrying a perfect 25-0 record with 11 knockouts. “With Zuffa Boxing, I’m going after the biggest fights in the sport, and I will become the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.” Dana White, UFC president and Zuffa Boxing CEO, praised the acquisition, saying, “Shakur is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. He’s 29, undefeated, and already a four-division world champion. This is a massive signing for Zuffa Boxing, and I’m looking forward to promoting this next fight.”
Stevenson’s career path has included early ties with Bob Arum’s Top Rank, and in recent months he engaged in negotiations to realign with that promotion. His two-fight deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom came to an end after his victory over William Zepeda in July 2025, leaving Stevenson as a free agent heading into the Lopez bout. The new deal with Zuffa Boxing signals a fresh chapter, with expectations that Stevenson will not be confined to Zuffa Boxing events on Paramount+ alone. In addition, he is anticipated to have opportunities on Ring Magazine’s events curated by Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season showcases, broadening his exposure to global audiences and expanding the reach of his brand.
The strategic move positions Stevenson to capitalize on a broader promotional ecosystem, potentially aligning marquee bouts with Zuffa Boxing’s platform while still leveraging external high-profile events. The alignment comes at a time when the boxing landscape is increasingly collaborative, with promoters pursuing cross-promotional opportunities to maximize gate, pay-per-view, and streaming potential. For Stevenson, the multi-fight deal represents not only a continued ascent in a sport that prizes elite talent across multiple weight divisions but also a conduit to maximize the financial and competitive upside of a fighter widely regarded as one of the sport’s brightest stars.
As Stevenson continues to chase legendary status, fans can anticipate a slate of future matchups designed to test his abilities against the sport’s elite in the coming years. The terms of the deal suggest he will be positioned for high-stakes showdowns across prominent platforms, including Paramount+ broadcasts and international exhibitions, with promotional campaigns tailored to build anticipation for each blockbuster event. The Stevenson-Zuffa Boxing collaboration is widely viewed as a defining development for both the fighter and the promoter, signaling a renewed confidence in boxing’s ability to deliver high-caliber, cross-promotional clashes that captivate global audiences.