Oleksandr Usyk has sent ripples through the combat sports world with a stunning social media tease suggesting a potential MMA showdown with internet sensation Jake Paul.
The Ukrainian heavyweight champion, who successfully defended his WBC, WBO and IBO belts against Tyson Fury in December, took to Instagram on Friday with an intriguing post featuring himself and Paul with the letters ‘MMA’ prominently displayed in the background.
This unexpected development comes as Usyk, 38, is reportedly contemplating his final moves in a legendary career. According to his team, the champion may contest just two more bouts before hanging up his gloves.
Sergey Lapin, Usyk’s team director, recently shared some insights about the champion’s mindset: “Usyk has always cared only about facing the best and creating a lasting legacy in the great sport of boxing,” Lapin told OLPG. “But in the future, as he further solidifies his place as one of the true great fighters, we’ll see what other opportunities open up for him.”
Lapin added intriguingly, “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 facing the dangerous Alex Pereira, possibly partnered with Dana White.”
While Usyk has established himself as boxing royalty, neither he nor Paul has previously competed under MMA rules, making this potential crossover particularly fascinating for combat sports enthusiasts.
Paul, 28, who last defeated 58-year-old Mike Tyson in November, seems to be positioning himself for bouts with boxing’s elite heavyweights. In recent weeks, Paul publicly challenged Anthony Joshua, claiming the British star “doesn’t have a chin” and “has no skill.” Both fighters subsequently indicated they had spoken via telephone and hinted at a possible meeting in 2026.
Meanwhile, uncertainty continues to surround the heavyweight division’s immediate future after Daniel Dubois’ last-minute withdrawal from his Joseph Parker bout last month. Dubois, suffering from illness, pulled out just two days before the highly-anticipated Riyadh card.
In a surprising twist, Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren suggested that veteran Derek Chisora could be next in line for the 27-year-old instead of Usyk.
“Chisora is [an IBF mandatory],” Warren told Sky Sports. “He won it in his last fight and everyone knew what the bout was going to be for. He is the mandatory to our man, ‘Dangerous Dan [Dubois]’, so that’s the position he’s in.”
