Dmitry Bivol’s mandatory defence won’t feature the WBO title.
On the 30th of May, Dmitry Bivol will return to the ring for the first time since he became the undisputed light-heavyweight champion of the world following his rematch victory over Artur Beterbiev in February of last year.
The reason for Bivol’s lengthy absence is a long-standing back injury that he only recently had surgery on, thereby taking him out of action for the rest of 2025.
There had been rumblings of a trilogy with Beterbiev, and reports even suggested that it had been set for November. However, it wasn’t to be.
During Bivol’s time away from fighting, he relinquished his WBC belt, and it would end up in the possession of David Benavidez. As a result, Bivol is no longer undisputed.
Bivol still holds three of the four major straps, though, as well as The Ring and lineal titles. And while he will be going into his defence against Michael Eifert next month holding all those belts, one of them will not be on the line.
Indeed, the WBO have chosen not to sanction the fight, the reason being the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Bivol vs. Eifert will be taking place in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, the champion’s first appearance in his home country since his 2021 win over Umar Salamov.
Though it won’t be on the line, Bivol still holds the WBO title and won’t be stripped of it. Though if he loses to Eifert, it is likely to become vacant. Given how big of a favourite Bivol is to win, though, this outcome isn’t really being discussed.
Dmitry Bivol’s WBO light heavyweight title won’t be on the line vs Michael Eifert on May 30 in Yekaterinburg, Russia, due to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, per a letter from WBO president Gustavo Olivieri obtained by The Ring’s @MikeCoppinger ❌
The WBO won’t strip Bivol,… pic.twitter.com/spaeWqOcT6
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) April 28, 2026
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