Edgar Berlanga Signs with Zuffa Boxing, Shaking Up Super Middleweight Division

Dana White's new promotion aims to reshape boxing's power dynamics and storytelling

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:26pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a boxer in motion, with sharp geometric shapes and planes of deep blue, red, and gray tones conveying the raw energy and power of the sport.Zuffa Boxing's bold move to sign rising stars like Edgar Berlanga signals a shift in how fighters seek control over their careers and the sport's narrative.NYC Today

Dana White's Zuffa Boxing has made a bold move by signing rising super middleweight star Edgar Berlanga, along with fellow prospect Richardson Hitchins. This signals a shift in how fighters evaluate promoters, with athletes increasingly demanding more control over their careers and the ability to build sustained narratives on a centralized platform. The Berlanga-Hitchins pairing is seen as a calculated showcase, hinting at Zuffa's strategy to assemble a stable of high-impact names and provide recurring marquee battles, challenging the traditional boxing model of episodic 'mega' events.

Why it matters

This development represents a tectonic shift in boxing, as a major promoter like Dana White's Zuffa Boxing challenges the sport's traditional power centers and forces fans to rethink who controls the future of the sport. The emphasis on platform leverage, cross-promotion synergies, and data-driven event planning suggests a maturation in boxing where fighters are more willing to trade old hierarchies for potential long-term value.

The details

Edgar Berlanga's departure from Eddie Hearn's Matchroom after a booking he perceived as disrespectful is seen as a personal statement about how fighters evaluate the conditions under which they rise. Berlanga's public critique of co-main event slots underscores a broader theme: fighters want ownership over their moment and the leverage to choose their own platform when it aligns with their career arc. The addition of Richardson Hitchins mirrors Berlanga's move, with two young, accomplished talents stepping into a new orbit with a promoter promising amplified reach and a focus on building consistent narratives.

  • In April 2026, Edgar Berlanga signed with Zuffa Boxing.
  • In 2026, Richardson Hitchins also joined Zuffa Boxing after a recent victory over George Kambosos Jr. in New York.

The players

Edgar Berlanga

A rising super middleweight star who recently departed from Eddie Hearn's Matchroom promotion, citing a perceived lack of respect in his fight bookings.

Richardson Hitchins

A young, accomplished prospect who joined Zuffa Boxing after a recent victory over George Kambosos Jr. in New York.

Dana White

The president of the UFC, who has launched a new boxing promotion called Zuffa Boxing in an effort to reshape the sport's power dynamics and storytelling.

Eddie Hearn

The head of Matchroom Boxing, a major boxing promotion that previously had Edgar Berlanga under contract.

George Kambosos Jr.

A boxer who was recently defeated by Richardson Hitchins in New York.

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What’s next

Zuffa Boxing will look to continue assembling a stable of high-profile fighters and provide them with a consistent platform to build narratives and engage with fans throughout the year, challenging the traditional boxing model of episodic 'mega' events.

The takeaway

This move by Dana White's Zuffa Boxing represents a significant shift in the power dynamics of boxing, as a major promoter challenges the sport's traditional power centers and forces fighters, fans, and the industry to rethink who controls the future of the sport. The emphasis on platform leverage, cross-promotion synergies, and data-driven event planning suggests a maturation in boxing where athletes are increasingly demanding more ownership over their careers and the ability to build sustained narratives on a centralized platform.