OLEKSANDR USYK NAMES WHO HE WANTS TO FIGHT NEXT – AND HE'S NOT A BOXER

World heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has revealed he wants to fight an MMA legend next after his boxing rematch against Tyson Fury.

Earlier this year, there were rumours the 37-year-old Ukrainian fighter would make the switch to the discipline during a period that has seen MMA fighters move across to boxing.

Speaking to the Mirror, Usyk revealed that he would consider the switch and then proceeded to say who he would like to go up against. His comments come after Usyk defeated Fury in May in a split decision and the pair are expected to take part in a rematch later this year.

On a potential switch to MMA, Usyk said: “We are extraordinary people. Why not? All the MMA guys are coming to boxing. And we will go from boxing to MMA.”

Usyk went onto say that his preferred MMA opponent, if they were willing, would be UFC legend Conor McGregor.

This isn’t the first time Usyk has talked about the possibility of fighting McGregor. Earlier this month he said he was open to the possibility after his sports director Sergey Lapin attempted to reach McGregor via social media.

He wrote “Hey bro, Conor McGregor! "First Oleksandr Usyk has to retire Tyson Fury, but our team is ready to make something great together with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Let’s talk.”

Lapin added in a subsequent interview: “He’s proven he’s the best of his generation and, once he’s retired Tyson Fury, he will consider his options.

"Maybe that's dropping down in weight again, or maybe there's a wildcard option on the table for him; be it in the boxing ring, the MMA cage or even Conor McGregor's Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.”

In response, Usyk put Lapin’s message on his Instagram story with the words “Let’s talk” followed by a handshake emoji.

Usyk was in London at an event at the Ukrainian embassy that celebrated the British public’s vehicular contribution to the war in Ukraine. The ceremony took place ahead of the Paris Olympics.

Fourteen years ago, Usyk took heavyweight gold when London hosted the Olympic Games in 2012.

2024-07-26T12:41:16Z dg43tfdfdgfd