Oleksandr Usyk could well be fighting on into 2026 against an unlikely opponent.
Usyk remains undefeated in his professional career. He has surmounted every challenge put in front of him, including moving up to heavyweight despite being a natural cruiserweight.
Up in the banner division, he has taken on the biggest men and most impressive talents, including Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois, and he has beaten all of them on his way to undisputed champion, which he also accomplished down at cruiserweight.
Right now, he is locked in for a rematch with Dubois as he attempts to win back the IBF belt he had to vacate to honour the rematch with Fury. He beat Dubois by KO in August 2023, but not before being down from a shot that was ruled low by the referee.
Should he win that, he will be mandated to defend the WBO belt against Joseph Parker, but it seems as though Usyk is already looking beyond that.
Speaking to KO Artist Sports, Nakisa Bidarian, CEO of Jake Paul’s promotional company MVP, revealed that the Ukrainian has reached out to him for an unlikely contest in the octagon.
“Usyk has called Jake out multiple times in MMA. They have been in touch with us behind the scenes, saying they want to do that fight in 2026.”
Given what Usyk has achieved in the squared circle, there are few challenges left out there for him. A move into MMA would certainly represent a new frontier and likely prove a huge event for combat fans.
Paul has made a huge name for himself in the sport, often controversially, and is next out in June against former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. He has often teased a move to MMA.
