Undisputed heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk has his sights set on conquering another combat sport domain, according to Professional Fighters League (PFL) European head Dan Hardy.
“One thing I can say is that I do know that Usyk is absolutely dead serious about fighting in MMA,”
Hardy told talkSPORT.
“I can tell you that for sure. Which would be incredibly exciting because I think he would be lethal.”
The Ukrainian boxing icon has recently fueled speculation about a potential mixed martial arts bout against YouTube personality-turned-boxer Jake Paul. Last week, Usyk shared a graphic on his Instagram featuring the two facing off in front of a PFL cage.
The buzz intensified when Usyk‘s representative, Sergey Lapin, suggested “it might be great” for the heavyweight champion to face Paul under MMA rules. PFL founder Donn Davis subsequently posted on social media platform X: “Oleksandr Usyk vs Jake Paul in MMA Could Genuinely Happen at PFL. 2026 ideal for Usyk v Jake.”
When questioned in a recent interview about future possibilities including bare-knuckle competition or returning to cruiserweight, Usyk responded openly:
“Listen, we work. I don’t know. Maybe. My team work. It’s interesting. Why not? UFC? Why not? McGregor. Come on! I’m ready to fight.”
While the financial incentives would be substantial for all parties involved, Hardy expressed skepticism about Paul‘s willingness to participate in such a matchup.
“As far as Jake Paul goes, I don’t know. Don Davis is the best person to ask with that regard,”
Hardy explained.
“He is the ringmaster. He is the person that deals with Jake Paul and the whole chaotic side of combat sports. I just sit back and watch and do what I am needed to.”
Despite his doubts about the Usyk-Paul matchup materializing, Hardy believes Paul could potentially succeed in MMA with the right opponents.
“I have taken heat for this, but I actually think he would do pretty well,”
Hardy said of Paul‘s MMA prospects.
“He is young. He is powerful. He has all the money he needs to dedicate all of his time to his craft. He is improving at boxing fairly quickly. He has a background in wrestling at Ohio State.”
However, Hardy noted that Paul would likely be selective about his opponents:
“He is not going to fight Leon Edwards, is he? He is not going to fight someone that is at the top of their game. He is going to want to fight Ben Askren or Tyron Woodley or probably call me out.”
Paul‘s boxing career has included victories over former MMA fighters Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley (twice), Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz. His only professional loss came against Tommy Fury. Most recently, Paul defeated Mike Tyson in a highly publicized bout in front of 70,000 fans in Texas.
While a potential Usyk-Paul MMA matchup remains uncertain, the Ukrainian champion’s interest in stepping into the cage appears genuine, potentially adding another intriguing chapter to his already illustrious combat sports career.
