After signing with Zuffa Boxing, the 32-year-old Dominican is slated to make his promotional debut on November 14. While unconfirmed, Dan Rafael reported Monday night Adames will face Gerome Warburton (18-2-2, 2 KOs) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Adames has been ordered to face two mandatories with Meiirim Nursultanov given first priority. The sanctioning body's decision comes after interim titleholder Jesus Ramos withdrew from their September 19 bout after suffering food poisoning early Friday on fight week.

Adames-Warburton would be contested at a catchweight and as such, be deemed a non-title bout given the relatively short notice.

During an October 15 interview with Broadway Joel on his YouTube channel, the long-reigning champion believes he can squeeze in a unification bout provided he emerges injury-free.

"After this fight, I would comply with [WBC president] Mauricio Sulaiman's requirements and fulfill the mandatory. I plan to fulfill the mandatory fight with one, but not both one after the other. I would then see if he gives me permission and I can do a unification with Aaron McKenna, Denzel Bentley, any champion in my division. Then I would fulfill the second mandatory with Ramos."

Adames (25-1-1, 18 KOs) spoke with enthusiasm about signing his new deal, much like Bentley did, and is aware how beneficial staying busy is at this stage of his career.

"It feels good because it's been a while, I'm getting rusty, taking care of myself between fights because I was only fighting once a year. It [the inactivity] didn't depend on Luis DeCubas or PBC, rivals weren't accepting the fights but I feel happy, energized with this new company, like I left the national team yesterday, taking a different path for my career. I'm going to give it my all."

IBF titleholder McKenna (21-0, 10 KOs) joined the Zuffa ranks in June and The Ring's No. 3-rated contender has spoken previously with fondness of their sparring sessions.

Bentley's situation as WBO beltholder is more unclear as he readies for his promotional debut against Shane Mosley Jr. on the Chris Billam-Smith-Cheavon Clarke card on November 7.

The sanctioning body ordered Bentley (22-3-1, 18 KOs) to defend his belt against mandatory challenger Yoenli Hernandez. With several in-house bouts available, Adames isn't averse to training over the holidays to return in the first quarter of 2027.