Mark Magsayo has confirmed he will return to the ring on April 5, marking his debut under the Zuffa banner and the start of a new campaign at lightweight. The bout will follow Zuffa Boxing 04 on March 8, as the former champion shifts from 130 pounds to 135 after Zuffa’s divisional structure excluded the super featherweight division.
“I’m very grateful and excited for this opportunity,” Magsayo said. “Zuffa is building something powerful, and being part of a promotion with a strong platform like Paramount+ is a meaningful step forward in my career.” Having worked his way back into contention at 130, Magsayo said the timing now feels right for the move. “My body has grown naturally over the past few years, and moving up in weight is the right decision for both my performance and long-term longevity.”
Since his March 2023 loss to Brandon Figueroa, Magsayo rebuilt momentum with wins over Isaac Avelar, Eduardo Ramirez, Bryan Mercado, and Jorge Mata, capturing the vacant WBC Continental Americas super featherweight title in July 2025. Despite appearing poised for a world title run at 130, the shift to lightweight was accelerated by circumstance. “Now that I’m at 135, the goal is to dominate this division and become a champion,” he stated. “I didn’t come here just to participate. I came here to reach the top.”
Magsayo also visited the UFC Apex facility, praising the setup and calling it “world-class.” He emphasized that structure and consistency were key factors in joining Zuffa. “There’s strong leadership, organization, and a structured plan that allows fighters to focus fully on their craft,” he said. “My job is simple: train hard, compete at the highest level, and chase a championship at 135 for my family and for the legacy I’m building.”
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