Just days after stripping Denzel Bentley, the sanctioning body is now ordering Yoenli Hernandez to face former world title challenger Michael Zerafa for the vacant belt.

They have given the fighters' teams until November 23 to reach an agreement, before purse bids are called.

Hernandez (11-0, 9 KOs) sits top of the WBO rankings as its No. 1 contender, while Zerafa (35-5, 23 KOs, 1 NC) is three places lower at No. 4. No. 2-rated contender Vito Mielnicki is unavailable and No. 3-rated Tim Tszyu will challenge Erislandy Lara for his WBA belt in December.

Sydney's Zerafa suffered a second-round stoppage defeat by Lara in March 2024, his first title fight. Since then, the 34-year-old Australian has four wins inside the distance, most recently against Alejandro Ortiz in August.

Aligned on a promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing, the longtime contender would still be a heavy underdog against Hernandez. The Ring's No. 2-ranked middleweight has dismantled many opponents, though was thoroughly tested against Francisco Veron and won a majority decision on the Rolando Romero-Teofimo Lopez bill August 22.

Bentley (22-3-1, 18 KOs) meanwhile, is gearing up to face Shane Mosley Jr. on November 7 in his first fight under the Zuffa Boxing banner. The 31-year-old former titlist signed a multi-fight deal and hoped he'd be granted permission for a voluntary fight, though his request and subsequent appeal was rejected.