UFC's Pereira would 'really like' to box, eyes Usyk

Count UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira among the growing number of MMA fighters who are interested in stepping into the boxing ring.

Pereira said on the "Jaxxon Podcast" he hopes to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Conor McGregor and Francis Ngannou by crossing over to boxing.

"That's something I really want," Pereira said through an interpreter. "But I'm under contract with the UFC. I know McGregor did it. Don't know how I would, but someday I'd really like to do it."

A former kickboxing champion, Pereira is now one of the top pound-for-pound fighters and biggest stars in the UFC. The Brazilian is scheduled to defend his 205-pound title for the fourth time against Magomed Ankalaev in the UFC 313 main event March 8 in Las Vegas.

If he is allowed to take a boxing match one day, Pereira said his top priority would be facing WBA, WBC, and WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

"I'm the champ, I'd like to fight a champ. So Oleksandr Usyk is the fight that I would want," Pereira said.

He added: "I feel that I could do really good. People talk about boxing, but boxing is one of my strongest parts. ... I think I could go head-to-head with him. I think I'm up there."