Oleksandr Usyk has spent years dominating the boxing world, and now, he’s looking ahead to his final fights before hanging up the gloves. While his immediate focus remains on regaining the IBF title, Usyk has hinted at an unexpected challenge that could cap off his legendary career—UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
In a recent interview with TNT Sports, Usyk confirmed that his next opponent will be determined by the outcome of the upcoming Daniel Dubois vs. Joseph Parker fight. “First, is who wins the next fight [Dubois vs. Parker] on Feb. 22,” Usyk said.
A Surprise Challenge for Pereira
After facing the winner of Dubois vs. Parker, Usyk revealed that his final fight might be something out of the ordinary. “Next? Maybe a show fight with Alex Pereira. Maybe—why not? Alex wants to.”
🚨 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
The idea caught many off guard, but it’s not without merit. Pereira, known for his devastating striking in MMA, has a background in boxing, including a professional TKO win in 2017. The UFC champion has previously stated his desire to transition to boxing once his MMA career winds down, making this potential clash all the more intriguing.
Alex Pereira speaks on Jake Paul 🥊 #HelwaniShow pic.twitter.com/mIL56pv5qw
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 17, 2024
What’s Next for Pereira?
For now, Pereira has business to handle in the UFC. He’s set to defend his title against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 on March 8. Should he emerge victorious, talk of a future showdown with Usyk could gain serious momentum.
A fight between Usyk and Pereira would be a spectacle, blending elite boxing skills with the raw power of an MMA striker. If this is how Usyk wants to close his career, it would be one for the history books.
