Vinny's Corner

In a bold move that signals a potential shift in the combat sports landscape, Zuffa Boxing—backed by UFC president Dana White and TKO Group Holdings—launches its inaugural event today, January 23, 2026.

This marks Zuffa’s first foray into professional boxing, aiming to blend the high-production values and fighter-centric approach of the UFC with the sweet science. The event, dubbed Zuffa Boxing 01 or Z01, takes place at the Meta Apex (formerly UFC Apex) in Las Vegas, Nevada, a venue familiar to MMA fans but now hosting a squared circle showdown.

Zuffa Boxing promises to address longstanding issues in the sport, such as mismatched promotions and fighter pay, with White emphasizing transparency and performance bonuses similar to those in the UFC. While the exact bonus amounts remain undisclosed, the promotion is positioning itself as a fighter-friendly alternative in a fragmented boxing world. The card features a mix of rising prospects and seasoned veterans, headlined by an intriguing middleweight clash.

The Main Event: Callum Walsh vs. Carlos Ocampo

The spotlight falls on undefeated Irish sensation Callum Walsh (15-0, 11 KOs) facing off against Mexican veteran Carlos Ocampo (38-3, 26 KOs) in a 10-round middleweight bout. Walsh, a 24-year-old southpaw known as “King Callum,” has been building momentum with his aggressive style and knockout power. Trained by Freddie Roach and based in California, Walsh is coming off a unanimous decision win on the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford undercard in September 2025. He’s favored heavily in the betting odds, listed at -600 to -700, reflecting his youth, speed, and unbeaten streak.

Carlos Ocampo, 30, brings experience from challenging top-tier opponents, including former welterweight champions Errol Spence Jr. and Tim Tszyu, though he fell short in those bouts. With 26 knockouts in his wins, Ocampo is no pushover and could test Walsh’s chin if the fight goes deep. This matchup pits Walsh’s rising star power against Ocampo’s durability, making it a pivotal test for the Irishman as he eyes world title contention.

Supporting Fights: The Full Card

The undercard showcases a blend of prospects and competitive matchups, with eight bouts in total. Here’s the complete lineup, divided into main card and prelims (all times approximate and subject to change):

Main Card (starting at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT):

• Middleweight (10 rounds): Callum Walsh (15-0, 11 KOs) vs. Carlos Ocampo (38-3, 26 KOs)
• Middleweight (10 rounds): Misael Rodriguez (15-0, 7 KOs) vs. Austin Deanda (17-0, 11 KOs) – A battle of unbeatens, with Rodriguez’s technical prowess facing Deanda’s power. 1
• Welterweight (10 rounds): Julian Rodriguez (24-1) vs. Cain Sandoval (17-0) – Rodriguez looks to rebound against the undefeated Sandoval in what could be a sleeper hit.

Prelims (starting at 6 PM ET / 3 PM PT):

• Featherweight (10 rounds): Omar Trinidad (19-0-2) vs. Max Ornelas (17-2-1)
• Bantamweight (8 rounds): Floyd Diaz (13-0) vs. Guillermo Gutierrez (13-2)
• Bantamweight (6 rounds): Emiliano Cardenas vs. Marcus Harris (7-1)
• Lightweight (6 rounds): Robert Meriwether III vs. Cesar Correa (5-0)
• Lightweight (6 rounds): Troy Nash (5-0-1) vs. Jaycob Ramos (4-0)

This card emphasizes young talent, with several fighters under 25 and multiple undefeated records on the line. While not stacked with household names yet, it sets the stage for Zuffa’s long-term vision.

Official Pick: Walsh vs. Ocampo

In this main event, I see Walsh’s youth, speed, and home-field momentum carrying him to victory. Ocampo has the tools to make it competitive early, but Walsh’s pressure should wear him down.

My pick: Callum Walsh wins by KO/ TKO inside of 7 rounds, extending his perfect record and solidifying his status as a Zuffa cornerstone.

Where to Watch

The entire event streams exclusively on Paramount+, with no pay-per-view barrier, a refreshing change from many boxing cards. Coverage kicks off with prelims at 6 PM ET (3 PM PT), followed by the main card at 9 PM ET (6 PM PT). International viewers can access it via the Paramount+ app or website, depending on regional availability.

The broadcast team brings is stacked with talent including: Joe Tessitore handles play-by-play, joined by analysts Max Kellerman, Andre Ward, Antonio Tarver, Mike Coppinger, Mark Kriegel, and Skipper Kelp. Molly Qerim hosts, with Heidi Androl as reporter and Joe Martinez as ring announcer. This ESPN-flavored crew adds polish to the production.

Zuffa Boxing’s debut could be the start of something transformative—or just another promoter in a crowded field. Either way, tonight’s card offers a glimpse into the future. Tune in and see if it delivers the knockout punch the sport needs.

By Vincent

Photos courtesy of Zuffa Boxing