What to Know
- Jai Opetaia became the first opponent to stop Noel Mikaelian in the co-main event Saturday in Las Vegas.
- Following the win, Opetaia was joined in the ring by current unified cruiserweight champion David Benavidez.
- The two men agreed to face each other next May 2027 in Las Vegas to the delight of fans at the T-Mobile Arena.
The co-main event delivered a win for Jai Opetaia in the ring, and thrilled fans with news of a unification superfight next May in Las Vegas. Start making your travel plans now.
First things first. Opetaia did what no one had yet managed to do: stop Noel Mikaelian.
Opetaia of Australia (31-0, 24 KOs) put in the work round after round, grinding and slowly breaking down Mikaelian of Armenia (28-4, 12 KOs). Mikaelian remained competitive, landing good right hands. He walked Opetaia into a counter right hand in the seventh round and rocked the Australian. But Mikaelian couldn’t capitalize with any more damage. His solid chin and defense kept his possibilities open, but fading.
“Yeah, he clipped me,” said Opetaia of the punch. “I’m sort of used to getting clipped in a fight. Those little shots, they always slide through. But I’m still here,” said Opetaia.
It wasn’t the most pleasant fight to watch, but Opetaia kept at it. With big men, a fight can take a dramatic turn in a flash, and it happened in the ninth round.
Halfway through the round, Opetaia landed a solid right hook. Mikaelian went to hold and pinned Opetaia’s right hand down. No matter. With Mikaelian holding Opetaia close, he had an open land and clear opportunity to fire a succession of lethal left hooks. It blasted Mikaelian back a few steps to the ropes. He held on desperately to avoid falling. Referee Harvey Dock immediately ruled a knockdown and gave Mikaelian the count.
Mikaelian was out on his feet, his eyes rolling back. Dock took a second look as he finished the count, and called the fight finished at 1:30 of round nine. It was Mikaelian’s first stoppage loss.
🇦🇺 @JAIOPETAIA1 COMES THROUGH IN R9 ‼️
TUNE IN NOW: https://t.co/1fucBO82vE | #GarciaBenn pic.twitter.com/uZCa3Kimd8
— Zuffa_Boxing (@Zuffa_Boxing) September 13, 2026
“We’re doing it, man. We’re doing it. Noel is tough as nails,” said Opetaia. “You know, I knew he was going to be experienced, I knew it was a good fighter. It’s good to share the ring with him. Hey, who’s next?” asked Opetaia.
READ MORE: American Heavyweight Da’Mazion Vanhouter Fires Up Fans in Las Vegas
Then the real drama got underway in the epilogue to the fight.
Sitting ringside observing the fight was unified cruiserweight champion David Benavidez, who was already on his way up into the ring. Why would Opetaia take a fight with a dangerous opponent known as the Mexican Monster?
Grinning ear to ear, Opetaia replied, “I respect him. You know he’s done a lot for the sport. It’s been awesome. You know, and what better for that to make? How exciting! You know, respectfully, let’s get it on!”
The grin was equally broad on Benavidez’ face. “Let’s do it right here, shake them out next year!” said Benavidez, who also expressed his respect toward Opetaia.
“This is a great fighter right here, the strong fighter, but they’re only be one monster in this weight division,” as the fans roared their approval.
“You know he’s a boogeyman in the division, but I’m the person they call when they’re trying to kill the boogeyman. And this man, this is a great fighter, but we’re gonna give the fans a great fight,” promised Benavidez.
Asked how he might beat Benavidez, Opetaia said, “I will find out in the time, but he said it now. He’s not taking her back. That’s done.”
“I like this man, said Benavidez. “He looks like he likes war. I’m the exact same way. So we’re going to get the fans a hell of a fight.”
“We live for these moments. We live for them. Let’s hug!” replied Opetaia.
OPETAIA X BENAVIDEZ ‼️
Jai Opetaia and David Benavidez come face to face and agree to fight 🔥#GarciaBenn | Live NOW on @ParamountPlus and @DAZNBoxing 🥊 pic.twitter.com/Kumucprke1
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) September 13, 2026
Opetaia is the lineal and Ring Magazine champion, as well as the Zuffa Boxing champion. Earlier in the afternoon, the WBA stepped in to make Saturday’s fight for the WBA “Regular” Cruiserweight championship. The super champion? David Benavidez. That makes Opetaia a mandatory challenger for Benavidez.
There may be some negotiation needed around the titles, and if Congress amends the Ali Act between now and this fight, some details will need to be worked out.
But it is always up to the fighters in the end, and the wide grins on the faces of Opetaia and Benavidez don’t have me too worried about this fight taking place.
Gayle Falkenthal is an award-winning boxing journalist with more than four dozen awards for both written and video coverage from the Boxing Writers Association of America, Society of Professional Journalists, and San Diego Press Club, where she is the past president. She is the only woman journalist who is a full voting member of the BWAA. She is the Boxing Editor for NY Fights based in San Diego, California.
