The heavyweight landscape shifted late Sunday night as the heavy-handed Efe Ajagba delivered a definitive statement in his promotional debut for Zuffa Boxing. Headlining the third installment of Dana White’s burgeoning boxing venture at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, the Nigerian powerhouse dismantled former IBF world champion Charles Martin in a performance that combined patient stalking with explosive, fight-ending power. The victory marks a significant resurgence for the 31-year-old Ajagba, who effectively silenced critics following a series of inconsistent outings in recent years.
The atmosphere inside the intimate 6650 El Camino Road venue reached a fever pitch as the main event commenced. While the early rounds saw Martin utilize his southpaw experience to keep Ajagba at bay with a flickering jab, the momentum swung violently in the third frame. Ajagba, known as “The Silent Roller,” finally found his range, catching Martin with a thunderous right hand that sent the St. Louis native flat on his back. Though Martin displayed the veteran grit required to beat the count and survive the round, the damage was visibly done.
The conclusion arrived early in the fourth round as Ajagba refused to let his prey off the hook. A relentless barrage of three consecutive right hands forced Martin to the canvas for a second time just 23 seconds into the frame. Although Martin regained his feet once more, the referee, Thomas Taylor, stepped in to halt the contest at the 1:11 mark of Round 4 as Ajagba unloaded a final unanswered combination. The TKO victory improves Ajagba’s professional record to 21-1-1 with 15 knockouts, firmly re-establishing him as a top-ten threat in the heavyweight division.
Under Highlights: A Night of Spectacular Finishes
The Zuffa Boxing 03 card was defined by its lack of judging intervention, as the main card produced an all-knockout slate for the first time in the promotion’s history. In the co-main event, light heavyweight prospect Umar Dzambekov may have already secured “Knockout of the Year” honors for 2026. The undefeated Austrian needed less than two rounds to starch veteran Ahmed Elbiali with a single, perfectly timed uppercut that left the Florida-based contender unconscious before he hit the mat. The finish has already gone viral across social media platforms, further elevating Dzambekov’s status as a rising star in the 175-pound division.
Earlier in the evening, the lightweight ranks saw a massive betting upset as Jaybrio Pe Benito dismantled the highly touted Abel Mejia. Entering the ring as a significant underdog, Pe Benito ignored the odds to pressure Mejia from the opening bell, eventually securing a third-round TKO. The success of these undercard bouts underscores Dana White’s stated goal of matching hungry, undefeated prospects against one another rather than the traditional “showcase” matchmaking often criticized in the sport of boxing.
The preliminary portion of the event provided equal drama, highlighted by Leonardo Ruiz’s fourth-round stoppage of Casey Streeter. Ruiz’s ability to work the body before moving upstairs for the finish mirrored the technical aggression seen throughout the night. Meanwhile, Mark Beuke secured a hard-fought split decision victory over Antonio Woods in a middleweight clash that served as the only bout to go the distance on the main and preliminary cards.
Logistics and Future Outlook for Zuffa Boxing
For fans looking to catch the next wave of combat sports action in Las Vegas, the Meta APEX (ZIP: 89118) continues to serve as the primary hub for Zuffa events. Located just minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, the venue offers limited but exclusive seating, with tickets for recent events typically ranging from $175 to $375 via official platforms like AXS and secondary markets like SeatGeek. Public transit users can access the venue via the RTC Southern Nevada bus system, though most attendees opt for ride-share services given the facility’s location near the industrial sector of El Camino Road.
The focus now shifts to Zuffa Boxing 04, which is currently scheduled for March 8, 2026. Rumors suggest the promotion is eyeing a cruiserweight title clash featuring Jai Opetaia, signaling a move toward hosting established world champions alongside their prospect-heavy builds. With the success of Ajagba vs. Martin, the promotion has solidified its partnership with Paramount+, ensuring that the high-definition replays and future live cards remain accessible to a global streaming audience.
Heavyweight boxing enthusiasts are already speculating on Ajagba’s next move, with potential matchups against the likes of Martin Bakole or a high-profile showdown at Madison Square Garden in New York City being discussed for the summer. For now, Ajagba’s dominant performance at the APEX stands as a reminder that the heavyweight division remains the most volatile and exciting corner of the sporting world.
