Oleksandr Usyk's team has signalled a potential crossover into mixed martial arts, with the Ukrainian heavyweight expressing interest in a clash against UFC icon Jon Jones. Sergey Lapin, a member of Usyk's camp, confirmed that while a fight with Jake Paul is off the table, a matchup with Jones in the United States is being considered as a 'very interesting' proposition.
'If we are talking about crossover fights, a very interesting matchup could be against Jon Jones in the United States,' Lapin told Casinostugan. 'The best heavyweight in MMA against one of the best boxers of his generation could become a very big event if organised properly. Who is the baddest man on the planet?'
Usyk, 39, last fought in July 2024, knocking out Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium. He is next scheduled to face kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven in Egypt in May, after vacating one of his world titles rather than taking on Fabio Wardley, who was subsequently elevated to champion. Usyk recently outlined his final three fights, including a third bout with Tyson Fury.
Jones, a former two-weight UFC champion, retired last year but reversed his decision in hopes of fighting on UFC's 'Freedom 250' card at the White House in June. However, UFC CEO Dana White dismissed Jones as never being in contention for that event. Jones has since requested a release from his UFC contract, citing a hip injury and disputes over fight offers.
'If the UFC truly feels like I'm done, then I respectfully ask to be released from my contract today,' Jones wrote on social media. White responded, stating: 'Never, ever, ever... was Jon Jones even remotely in my mind to fight at the White House.'
