UFC light heavyweight champion, Brazilian fighter Alex Pereira, reacted to comments from Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk, who expressed interest in facing him in the ring.
Usyk, holder of the WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles, previously announced that he plans to have two more fights before retiring. He aims to first meet the winner of the bout between Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker, and then fight Pereira.
I’ve said that before, that I would really like to do a boxing match. And was asked against who. Since I’m the champion, I said it would have to be against a champion, and he’s the champion. And now he’s given an interview and mentioned my name. That’s something I want, and he also wants it, and both organizations, boxing and the UFC, are working kind of together now, so I believe this fight can happen.
Alex Pereira in an interview with Mark Bouris
Recall that on March 9 in Las Vegas, the main event of UFC 313 will see Alex Pereira defend his light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev. Usyk last entered the ring against Tyson Fury in December 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he won by unanimous decision.
