Zuffa Rejects Don King's Cease And Desist Over Opetaia Fight

Zuffa plans to move forward with Jai Opetaia's cruiserweight fight against Noel Mikaelian this weekend despite a cease and desist from promoter Don King.

Dana White told reporters at Contender Series in Las Vegas that the bout will proceed as scheduled on the Garcia-Benn card, rejecting King's allegations of tortious interference. "He's fighting this weekend," White said, per ESPN. "When have you ever seen a scenario with us where we go and try to interfere with someone's contract? We don't do it."

White defended Zuffa's track record over 25 years in combat sports promotion, according to Bad Left Hook. He insisted the company has maintained clean dealings with King in the past and does not engage in contract interference.

King's legal team sent the cease and desist seeking to formally block the cruiserweight matchup. The nature of King's claimed contractual interest in Mikaelian has not been publicly disclosed.

With Zuffa holding firm, King may now seek injunctive relief through the courts to stop the fight. The cruiserweight bout is set to co-feature Saturday's card topped by Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn.