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Alex Pereira Wants To Box Oleksandr Usyk
UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has made headlines once again, this time with his interest in stepping into the boxing ring against heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk. As Pereira prepares to defend his light-heavyweight title for the fourth time against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 in Las Vegas, the 37-year-old Brazilian has expressed his openness to the idea of moving up to heavyweight or even down to middleweight for future bouts, including a potential clash with Usyk.
In an intriguing interview, Pereira, who has dominated the UFC's light-heavyweight division, revealed his desire to face some of the biggest names in combat sports. He specifically mentioned the possibility of facing Dricus du Plessis for the middleweight title, UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones, and yes—Oleksandr Usyk in a boxing match.
"I see those possibly happening, but it doesn't depend on me. It depends on the UFC," Pereira said, hinting at the exciting prospects that could be in his future. He also expressed his excitement about the UFC's involvement in a new boxing league backed by investment from Saudi Arabia, an initiative that might open the door to high-profile crossover events like his potential bout with Usyk.
"I’m happy to hear the news," Pereira continued. "Who knows—September, Saudi Arabia?"
Usyk, who has become one of the most dominant forces in boxing, remains undefeated as a professional, securing his place at the top of the heavyweight division. With victories over Tyson Fury in 2024, Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era. His meteoric rise has solidified him as one of boxing's most exciting figures, and the idea of Pereira taking on the Ukrainian champion is an exciting one for combat sports fans around the world.
While Pereira is currently focused on his UFC career, defending his title against Ankalaev at UFC 313, the prospect of a crossover boxing match with Usyk adds a new layer of intrigue to his already impressive resume. UFC President Dana White has also hinted at Pereira possibly facing the winner of the upcoming UFC heavyweight title bout between Jon Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall, further proving that the Brazilian fighter is eyeing a future filled with marquee matchups.
“Who knows, if things go well with Ankalaev, maybe the future will include a chance to fight the winner of Jones and Aspinall,” Dana White said. "The fight everyone wants to see right now is Jones and Aspinall, and there’s no doubt Pereira could fight the winner."
Pereira’s willingness to explore new frontiers in both the UFC and boxing demonstrates his relentless ambition and desire to test himself against the best in the world. As the UFC continues to grow and evolve, the idea of champions like Pereira crossing over into different combat sports becomes increasingly plausible, creating more excitement for fans and potentially leading to groundbreaking matchups in the near future.
The question now is—will we see Alex Pereira face Oleksandr Usyk in the boxing ring? While it may depend on the UFC’s plans and opportunities that arise, one thing is certain: combat sports fans are in for a thrilling ride ahead.
Stay tuned as UFC 313 unfolds this Saturday in Las Vegas, where Pereira’s focus will be on defending his light-heavyweight title, but don’t be surprised if he’s already thinking about the next big challenge, both inside and outside the octagon.