by UFC champion Alex Pereira responded to a shock call by Oleksandr Usyk, saying that he would be open to the fight against the boxing icon later this year.
Usyk, unified boxing heavyweight champion, said in February that he planned to fight twice before retiring. The unbeaten Ukrainian, 38, surprisingly named Pereira as one of his desired opponents, and now the star of the UFC has echoed this feeling.
Pereira is expected to defend its light weight title against Magomed Ankalaev on Saturday, in the main event of the UFC 313. But Wednesday, the former kickboxing champion was questioned about his next fight.
The Brazilian has already expressed the desire to challenge the heavyweight champion Jon Jones, while the holder of the average weight title Dricus du Plessis would like to go up and face Pereira. The names of the two fighters were placed in “Poatan” on the UFC 313 media day, but he also referred to the USYK.
“I’m not looking for too [far] In advance, do you know what I mean? Said Pereira, 37 years old. “Honestly, these things did not come to my mind -” which “. But what I think about the future, what I have in hand is either Dricus, Jon Jones, or even fight Oleksandr Usyk in boxing.
“I see those who may occur, as a possibility. It does not depend on me, it depends on the UFC; Whatever the UFC wants me to do, I will do it.
Alex Pereira drops three huge possible combat options after # UFC313. 👀
“What I think for the future I have in hand is Dricus (from Plessis) or Jon Jones or even fighter Oleksandr Usyk in boxing.” pic.twitter.com/r4otzt9yxo
– MMA Junkie (@mmajunkie) March 6, 2025
Wednesday announced that the president of the UFC, Dana White, launches a boxing league with Turki Alashikh – the Saudi advisor behind the aggressive entry of the Gulf in boxing – and Pereira admitted that this development could stimulate his chances of fighting Usyk.
“Absolutely, guy,” said Pereira. “I was excited, I was happy when I heard the news. Who knows? September, Saudi Arabia … “
Pereira held the average weight of the UFC before switching to heavy goods vehicles in 2023. He surpassed Jan Blachowicz during his divisional beginnings before eliminating Jiri Proper to win the vacant belt. The two men are old champions of 205 pounds.
Then, in 2024, Pereira once again eliminated now, between the stop victories against Jamahal Hill and Khalil Routree Jr. Hill is also a former title holder.
The victory of the fourth round of Pereira against Routree Jr marked his last fight. After starting slowly, Pereira became the fight and produced some of his best work to secure a TKO.
