Edgar Berlanga's Championship Gamble: Boxing, WWE, and Hollywood Stardom

Brooklyn’s Edgar Berlanga is laying out a vision that extends far beyond the boxing ring—and he’s positioning himself to pull it off.

The 29-year-old knockout specialist recently signed with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, and the partnership signals something bigger than just another fighter chasing titles. Berlanga was deliberate about his choice. He recognized that White built the UFC into a global brand by understanding how to market fighters and create superstars, not just organize fights. That same machinery could launch him into professional wrestling and acting—ambitions he’s very open about pursuing.

His dream tag team partner in WWE? Damian Priest, a fellow Puerto Rican athlete and friend. Berlanga even had a shot at acting in Creed III before an injury forced him to withdraw, but he sees that door remaining open. The connections matter: William Morris Endeavor, one of Hollywood’s most powerful talent agencies, owns a controlling stake in TKO Group, which has a piece of Zuffa Boxing. That’s not luck—that’s infrastructure designed to turn athletic success into crossover fame.

Of course, none of this happens if he doesn’t win inside the squared circle first. After knocking out his first 16 opponents, Berlanga hit a reality check. Tougher competition exposed gaps, and he lost two of his last three fights, including a bout against Canelo Alvarez. But adversity can be education. Berlanga says he’s approaching his July 26th matchup against Steven Butler at Madison Square Garden with renewed focus: improved sparring, sharper conditioning, and a mentality aimed at world championship gold.

The timeline matters. He’s not talking about wrestling or acting as distractions—he’s building a brand while the ring is still his primary stage. Win the belts, establish yourself as a knockout artist, and leverage that platform into entertainment. It’s the modern athlete’s playbook, executed with eyes wide open about what comes next.

The real test arrives later this month at MSG. Everything else—the Hollywood prospects, the wrestling dreams, the bigger paydays—hinges on what happens when that bell rings.