Usyk open to 'show fight' vs. UFC's Pereira

UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira's recent call-out apparently caught the attention of unified heavyweight boxing champ Oleksandr Usyk.

Usyk told TNT Sports in an interview published Thursday that he would be willing to fight Pereira after the latter said in January that he was interested in the crossover bout.

"First, it's who wins next fight (between Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker), Feb. 22," Usyk said. "But next, maybe (a) show fight with Alex Pereira. Maybe. Why not? Alex wants it."

Usyk, who holds the WBA, WBC, and WBO heavyweight titles, said earlier this week he plans to fight twice more before retiring from professional competition.

The 38-year-old Ukrainian is expected to face the winner of the IBF heavyweight title fight between Dubois and Parker next, though that plan has yet to be finalized.

Pereira, one of the top pound-for-pound fighters and biggest stars in mixed martial arts, told the "Jaxxon Podcast" he wants to step into the boxing ring before he retires from combat sports - and that his first choice would be a fight with Usyk.

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

"I feel that I could do really good. ... I think I could go head-to-head with him."

Pereira is scheduled to defend his 205-pound title against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 on March 8 in Las Vegas.

Usyk, meanwhile, is coming off back-to-back wins over former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in 2024. Usyk beat Fury by split decision in May to become the first undisputed heavyweight champ since 2000 and then earned a more convincing unanimous decision victory in their December rematch.