Jai Opetaia has filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Nevada against the IBF, seeking reinstatement of his cruiserweight world title, damages, and legal costs. The Australian claims the sanctioning body acted unlawfully when stripping him after his first fight with Zuffa Boxing, the promotion launched by Dana White and Saudi-owned Sela.

The complaint alleges the IBF initially approved the March fight against Brandon Glanton in Las Vegas, accepted a $73,000 sanctioning fee, and appointed an official, but withdrew sanctioning less than 48 hours before the bout. Opetaia proceeded, won by unanimous decision, and was subsequently stripped. The lawsuit argues this was "coordinated, industry-wide collusion" to penalize him for signing with Zuffa.

The filing cites the 2004 Graciano Rocchigiani precedent, where the WBC was forced to reinstate a champion after legal action. It also alleges rival bodies WBC, WBA, and WBO have discouraged champions from facing Opetaia. Zuffa Boxing, launched in June 2025, aims to challenge established promoters and has signed stars like Shakur Stevenson and Conor Benn.