June 13, 2026 — Zuffa Boxing announced today that unbeaten light heavyweight prospect Nasheed “Sugar Sheed” Smith has signed a long-term promotional contract with the company. Smith, a 6-foot-2 southpaw from Washington, DC, is the latest standout to emerge from Barry Hunter’s renowned Headbangers Boxing Gym.
The 25-year-old Smith (10-0, 7 KOs) is trained and managed by Hunter, who has worked with the likes of Gervonta Davis, Lamont Peterson, Isaac Dogboe, Adrien Broner, Austin Trout, and Sharmba Mitchell.
Smith’s Zuffa Boxing debut will be announced at a later date.
“Washington, DC, has produced many great fighters, and I am proud to follow in that tradition,” Smith said. “This is the start of the ‘Sugar Sheed’ era, and I’m looking to take over the light heavyweight division. I appreciate Dana White, Nick Khan, and everyone at Zuffa Boxing for giving me the platform to showcase my skills.”
Smith grew up practicing taekwondo and watching UFC fights with his father before stepping into Hunter’s gym for the first time at age 10. As an amateur, he captured five national titles, including gold medals at the 2022 National Golden Gloves and USA National Championships. Smith further honed his craft in sparring sessions with elite fighters such as Peterson, Shawn Porter, Erickson Lubin, and Jarrett Hurd.
He turned professional in November 2023 with a first-round knockout victory and has already recorded six stoppages within two rounds. Smith last fought in April in Baltimore, earning a dominant decision over Michael Nelson.
About Zuffa Boxing
Zuffa Boxing is a joint venture between TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (“TKO”) (NYSE: TKO) and Sela, the entertainment conglomerate. TKO serves as managing partner, providing day-to-day operational expertise, management, and oversight of the promotion, with executive leadership anchored by UFC President and CEO Dana White and WWE President and TKO Board Member Nick Khan. The promotion aims to reimagine the sport of boxing by evolving the current model to restore the sport’s rightful place in the forefront of the global sports ecosystem. For more information, follow @Zuffa_Boxing on X; and @ZuffaBoxing on Snapchat, Instagram, Threads, and TikTok.
About Sela
Founded in 1997, Sela is a Saudi Arabian company specializing in creating, constructing, and operating unique destinations and recreational experiences across sports, entertainment, culture, and hospitality sectors. Initially recognized as Saudi Arabia’s first FIFA-recognized athletes’ representation company, Sela expanded into sports marketing and has since diversified into broader recreational industries.
About TKO
TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company. TKO owns iconic properties including UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization; WWE, the global leader in sports entertainment; and PBR, the world’s premier bull riding organization. Together, these properties reach 1 billion households across 210 countries and territories and organize more than 500 live events year-round, attracting more than three million fans. TKO also services and partners with major sports rights holders through IMG, an industry-leading global sports marketing agency; and On Location, a global leader in premium experiential hospitality.
