Usyk Could Fight Jake Paul In MMA
Oleksandr Usyk’s team has suggested he is open to facing Jake Paul in an MMA bout.
Usyk has achieved everything in the sport of boxing following a remarkable 2024. He defeated Tyson Fury to become the first Undisputed Heavyweight Champion since 1999. Usyk then beat Fury in the rematch to solidify his status as the best heavyweight of this era. He is a two-weight undisputed champion, having won all the belts at heavyweight and cruiserweight.
Usyk’s Legacy
He joined Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue as the two other fighters to have done so in the four-belt era. There have been calls for Usyk to retire since he is at the latter end of his career. The 38-year-old has been linked with fights against Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker. Dubois has the IBF title, giving Usyk a chance to become a two-time undisputed champion at heavyweight.
Meanwhile, Parker is the WBO mandatory as he eyes becoming a two-time world champion. However, those are risky fight since Usyk may not have the hunger. That opens up the possibilities to explore other opportunities. Usyk is open to facing former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira. Jake Paul’s name has also cropped up. The Problem Child put on the biggest event in boxing when he faced Mike Tyson. It became the most-viewed boxing fight in history, as it was the first ever to be aired on Netflix.
The fight earned Paul a reported $40 million, meaning an Usyk fight would eclipse that. Paul signed a PFL deal in 2023 as the attention turned towards his debut in MMA. Paul had been linked with several names, such as Tyron Woodley and Tommy Fury, for that MMA debut. Reports indicated that Paul offered Fury a two-fight deal worth $15-20 million for a two-fight. However, Fury allegedly turned it down as Paul moved on to other targets. There is a scenario where Paul could offer Usyk something similar, earning Paul more money in the process.
Will It Happen?
“He’s willing to fight him in boxing and if Jake wins, he’s willing to enter the SmartCage in the PFL with Tommy. There’s a path there where it’s $20million in guaranteed money,” Paul’s business partner Nakisa Bidarain said
Now, Usyk’s team is keen on seeing if an MMA fight is possible.
“It might be great to step into the cage with Jake Paul under MMA rules, it would be interesting if there is money to be made from it. Also, we never say never about fighting the dangerous Alex Pereira, possibly partnered with Dana White. Dana’s move to boxing could open the door for more fights between boxers and current UFC stars. Dana is a capable guy, and with Turki [Alalshikh]’s abilities, they would create a very interesting project. It will bring attention to our great sport, expand the fan base, attract new investment and possibly increase the purses of the athletes,” Sergey Lapin (from Usyk’s team)
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