“Jai is the legitimate IBF champion, and I’m the legitimate WBC champion. His WBC championship gives him credibility, but it doesn’t establish him as Opetaia’s closest rival. When Opetaia’s accomplishments against the former champion were mentioned during the interview, he quickly brought up their 2018 fight. Mikaelian officially lost that fight by unanimous decision, although he has long maintained that he deserved the win. If Mikaelian beats Opetaia, he won’t need a belt or the Briedis fight to support his case.