Zuffa Boxing Signs Carlos Adames as WBC World Middleweight Champion

Zuffa Boxing announced Carlos Adames as its latest signing this week, identifying him as the “WBC World Middleweight Champion.” Max Kellerman is one of the leading broadcast voices at Zuffa Boxing.

Kellerman has spent almost 25 years refusing to mention boxing’s sanctioning bodies by name on air. “I’m not going to call them by name, not even to insult,” Kellerman said. Zuffa openly acknowledged the WBC in its announcement of Carlos Adames, a reference publicly noted on October 14.

The WBC reference in the announcement does not establish a formal agreement between Zuffa and the sanctioning body. Zuffa has signed established titleholders including Carlos Adames and WBO middleweight champion Denzel Bentley. Speaking on Ring Champs with Ak & Barak earlier this month, Kellerman stated that he respected none of the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO. He traced his opposition to sanctioning bodies back to the 1999 draw between Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield. “You want to know what the breaking point was? Holyfield Lewis first fight draw,” Kellerman said. In September 2025, Kellerman reportedly told Dana White that he loved the decision not to recognize the sanctioning bodies.

Dana White initially rejected working with sanctioning organizations before softening his position to consider arrangements on a case-by-case basis. It remains unknown whether Dana White will instruct Kellerman to change his commentary or whether refusing such a request could threaten his position with Zuffa.

Should Dana White direct Max Kellerman to name sanctioning bodies on air, or leave his commentary unchanged?