Boxing vs UFC
With Alex Pereira, maybe. Why not? Alex wants it… -Oleksandr Usyk
Crossover fights between boxing greats and UFC champions have been a rarity. Of course, it’s always been MMA lacing up the boxing gloves because those pugilists learned from James Toney that they’re absolutely screwed in the octagon.
McGregor versus Mayweather, Francis Ngannou taking on Tyson Fury, and Anthony Joshua are the lone three spectacles in which MMA has met boxing in the ring, but there could be another blockbuster on the horizon.
The multi-division undisputed boxing champ, Oleksandr Usyk, after clearing out the world’s best at cruiserweight and heavyweight, is looking for those big-money fights to put a stamp on his career and Alex ‘Poatan’ Pereira, the UFC’s hardest hitter and current light heavyweight king, is in his sights.
Relax. Don’t get excited; this isn’t a fight announcement. Although, Usyk, 38, is teasing it’s potential in boxing rumors after confirming to TNT Sports in a recent interview that Pereira could be one of his final two fights.
Oleksandr Usyk said he wants to fight Alex Pereira in his retirement fight and Pereira has previously expressed interest in fighting Usyk in a boxing match 👀
IMAGINE 🥊 pic.twitter.com/Iv7AvtBpH0
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) February 13, 2025
Usyk Says, ‘I’ll Fight Pereira, Why Not?’
It’s the type of fight we’d muster up from a video creation suite and place in our list of dream fights beyond reality. Well, not more. Usyk confirmed he’ll be hanging up the gloves after his next two bouts and also revealed two potential opponents.
“First, is who wins the [Dubois vs Parker] fight in February, but next maybe show fight,” Usyk told TNT Sports. “With Alex Pereira, maybe. Why not? Alex wants it.”
This ‘show fight’ involving Usyk and Pereira isn’t as simple as signing a contract, though. The latter, under his UFC contract, would need permission from Dana White and Co. to sign off from the promotion to step into the ring. Historically, the UFC has opposed cross-promotional clashes, although we have seen exceptions get announced in boxing news (McGregor), so never say never!
Usyk versus Pereira? Come on, who doesn’t want to see that?
Chama!
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Unified King Oleksandr Usyk eyes ‘show fight’ with Alex Pereira… 😱
Usyk’s road to retirement…BOOK IT 📝 pic.twitter.com/13YyFTASou
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) February 13, 2025
Pereira Has Business to Attend at UFC 313 First
Before we can get hyped up about Pereira fighting Usyk, the Brazilian knockout machine must first defend his 205 lb UFC title against the No.1 contender, Magomed Ankalaev, at UFC 313 on March 8, 2025. With the UFC betting odds closely lined for this contest, Pereira’s aura might take a hit, but he’d still be a big enough star to draw interest from a slugfest with Usyk.
That said, Poatan has previously hinted at a jump to the UFC heavyweight division, which further supports the argument that he could potentially fight a boxing heavyweight. While he’s only fought one pro boxing contest throughout his combat sports tenure, he was a two-division GLORY kickboxing champion before taking the UFC by storm to become a two-division MMA champ, so a transition to the ring would be intriguing at the very least.
Yeah I’ve seen enough I believe Alex Pereria knocks out Oleksandr Usyk within 5 roundspic.twitter.com/MRFOBU6dSl
— NextLevelMMA (@NextLvlMMA) February 14, 2025
Should Usyk defeat Dubois (again), and in the midst of Tyson Fury announcing his retirement following the second loss in the Fury vs Usyk saga, maybe the superstar of Pereira provides the perfect super fight that could give the Ukrainian legend one last hefty check before he sails off into the sunset for good.
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