Brandon Glanton has fired back at critics questioning Zuffa Boxing after the company’s first championship event in Las Vegas.
“Those of you who got something to say about Zuffa, f*** you too,” Glanton said while defending the promotion that staged his March 8 fight with Jai Opetaia.
The cruiserweight contender used social media to explain why he believes Zuffa is providing fighters with opportunities and support that are often missing in traditional boxing.
The comments arrive as the fallout from the Opetaia–Glanton bout continues to ripple through the sport.
As World Boxing News reported, the International Boxing Federation withdrew sanction from the fight once it became clear the inaugural Zuffa World Cruiserweight championship would still be contested, leaving Opetaia’s IBF title situation under review.
Glanton, however, says the experience from a fighter’s perspective has been overwhelmingly positive.
Six Reasons Brandon Glanton Backs Zuffa
Glanton outlined six areas where he believes the promotion is improving the environment for fighters.
Fighter Pay
Glanton opened with a direct question aimed at critics.
“Are you paying?” he asked.
The comment cut to one of boxing’s long-standing frustrations as fighters often face inconsistent pay structures depending on promoters, broadcasters, and sanctioning bodies.
Opportunities for Major Fights
Glanton also challenged what alternatives critics could realistically provide.
“Are you getting unified title opportunities? What’s your career look like?” he said.
The question comes as Zuffa attempts to introduce its own championship structure alongside boxing’s existing titles.
Full Event Support
Glanton described the logistical support fighters received during fight week.
“Having everything you need — meals, vitamins, healthcare, recovery, training facilities,” he explained.
That level of organization stood out to a fighter used to handling many of those responsibilities independently.
Fighter Welfare
Glanton also pointed to how athletes are treated on a personal level.
“How are you? How you doing today? How you feel?” he said.
“It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”
Efficient Event Structure
Another aspect Glanton praised was the pace and organization of Zuffa’s operations.
“The time that it takes to go from fight to fight, from event to event, is fast,” he said.
“It’s taken care of. It’s smooth. It’s clean.”
Long-Term Vision
Glanton finished with a broader prediction about where the company’s approach could lead.
“Zuffa is going to transform boxing,” he said.
The cruiserweight insisted his comments were not motivated by financial incentives.
“I don’t get paid to say that. The fight’s over with. I can’t wait to go back.”
Team Zuffa
Glanton ended by explaining why he believes fighters should look closely at the opportunity.
“My injuries, my performance, my mood. What do you care about?” he asked. “Keep that in mind when you are trying to turn fighters away from opportunities.”
He added that resistance to Zuffa’s model may simply reflect how difficult change can be for a sport built on long-standing habits.
“Yes, it’s different. Change is scary. Humans don’t like change. We’re creatures of habit.”
For Glanton, the decision is straightforward.
“I’m Team Zuffa because Zuffa cares about me,” he said. “Keep watching. I’ll see you all soon. Don’t blink and I’ll be back.”
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Read full bio.
