Ajagba Stops Martin at Zuffa Boxing 3 as Dana White Dismisses Crossover Hype

Nigerian heavyweight Efe Ajagba secures a fourth-round stoppage at the Meta Apex while Dana White shuts down Crawford-Buckley rumors and Conor McGregor teases a summer return.

By: AXL Media

Published: Feb 16, 2026, 1:35 PM EST

Nigerian powerhouse Efe Ajagba solidified his status as a top-tier heavyweight contender Sunday night, dismantling former world champion Charles Martin at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas. The headliner of the Zuffa Boxing 03 event concluded in the fourth round when Ajagba's relentless power forced a TKO stoppage at the 1:11 mark. While Martin showed flashes of his veteran speed in the opening frames, he was ultimately unable to withstand the clinical precision and devastating heavy-handedness that has become Ajagba's trademark under the TKO promotional banner.

The undercard featured equally explosive action, notably from Austrian light heavyweight Umar Dzambekov. Dzambekov delivered what many are calling a knockout of the year candidate, finishing Ahmed Elbiali in the second round with a clinical uppercut that left the crowd stunned. This third installment of the Zuffa Boxing series suggests a successful pivot for the organization as it continues to integrate the high-end production values of mixed martial arts with the traditional mechanics of the squared circle.

Following the matches, UFC CEO Dana White took the podium to address the future of the venture and the broader combat sports landscape. White was characteristically blunt when asked about a potential crossover match between the recently retired Terence Crawford and MMA standout Joaquin Buckley. Dismissing the proposal as a laughable suggestion, White emphasized that the UFC has no immediate plans for such a crossover, despite his successful co-promotion of the Alvarez-Crawford mega-fight last September. He also took the opportunity to lambast rival promoters Eddie Hearn and Oscar De La Hoya, claiming they are completely out of their league in the current market.

In the world of mixed martial arts, the spotlight remains fixed on Conor McGregor as he ramps up his return preparations at SBG Ireland. Recent training footage shows the former dual-weight champion sparring with 6-foot-5 PFL standout Eoin Sheridan, signaling a serious commitment to his physical conditioning. While McGregor has expressed a desire to headline a rumored UFC event in Washington D.C. this June, White has reportedly downplayed a matchup with Michael Chandler for that specific date, leaving the Irish star's next opponent a subject of intense speculation.

These developments come on the heels of a historic milestone at UFC 325 in Sy...