Heavyweight positioning takes priority

Ajaba, 20 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, with 14 knockouts, is operating in Zuffa’s stable as a free agent. The 31-year-old Nigerian last fought out a draw against Martin Bakole, extending his unbeaten run to five fights and a draw since losing to Frank Sanchez in 2021. A convincing performance at Meta Apex strengthened his case for reaching the knockout stage.

Martin has a record of 30 wins, 4 losses and 1, with 27 knockouts and retains the former IBF belt status, but has lost three consecutive games to top 15 opponents. The 39-year-old southpaw’s first-round stoppage of Matthew McKinney in November 2024 allowed him to temporarily regain form. The Ajagba scrap represents the clearest route back into contention.

Residency Form Establishment Control

The Sunday slot serves a dual purpose. It differentiates Zuffa Boxing from competing weekend cards while locking Paramount+ into a predictable delivery schedule. Meta Apex’s residency format reduces logistical variables and creates promotional continuity at early shows.

By ditching the February 14 date, Zuffa Boxing has eliminated weekend confusion and set Sunday as its default operating day. For fighters like Ajagba and Martin, the switch won’t change wallets or stakes, but it clarifies Zuffa’s preferred calendar structure.

“The heavyweight division is the crown jewel of combat sports, and for our third fight, we wanted a marquee fight,” said UFC President and CEO Dana White. “Both Ajagba and Martin are at a crossroads. One is a huge boxer looking to prove he is championship material, and the other is a former world champion who knows this is his last shot. This is exactly the kind of competitive, high-stakes pairing Zuffa Boxing brings to the sport.”

For the heavyweight division, February 15th now serves as a sorting mechanism. Ajagba qualified as an eliminator with a clean victory. If Martin’s southpaw jab and left hand disrupts the Nigerian’s rhythm, he can ensure relevance.

Zuffa Boxing 3: Ajagba vs. Martin – Sunday, February 15, 2026

• Location: Meta Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Promoter: Dana White – Zuffa Boxing
• Media: Paramount+ Exclusive
• Time: Main card start time is 9:00 pm Eastern Time / 6:00 pm Pacific Time