Unified Heavyweight World Champion Oleksandr Usyk in discussions with Dana White.
The heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk is in the twilight of his career, and is in talks with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing to become his new promoter.
Oleksandr Usyk parted ways with long-term promoter and friend Alex Krassyuk in the build-up to his last fight in July.
Usyk won by knockout in the fifth round to defeat Daniel Dubois, becoming a three time Undisputed Champion of the World.
Seemingly, the Ukrainian has accomplished all there is to accomplish in the sport, but Usyk is not ready to stop there.
Team Usyk have been gearing up for a big 2026, and with opponent rumours circulating, it looks like the Ukrainian is ready to conquer the USA.
Usyk has expressed his desire to fight Deontay Wilder, with the fight given the green light by the WBC.
Rumours have been circulating the boxing world suggesting that the fight may be staged by a new boxing promotion by the name of IVBoxing.
However, speaking to talkSPORT Boxing, Team Usyk director Sergey Lapin has claimed that Dana White is in talks to sign the champion.
“There is contact, there is dialogue, and interest exists [from Dana White and Zuffa Boxing],” Lapin told talkSPORT
“Details aren’t for the public right now. Let’s say a few doors are open, and if format, numbers, and timing align, the market could see a move nobody expects.
“Everyone has seen what he [Dana White] did. He turned ‘old MMA’ into the global UFC machine.
“His real power is packaging not just a fight, but an event.
“If he gets involved, the scale and attention immediately become different”.
With Usyk’s last 6 fights all being stadium events or Riyadh Season attractions, he will likely only return to the ring for financial incentives of a similar level.
A partnership with Dana White will bring commercial leverage for team Usyk when trying to attack the American market with a fight against the Bronze Bomber who is set to have a warmup fight against Derek Chisora.
Dana White’s celebrity status along with his success in MMA are eyecatching propositions to Usyk who has already cemented his legacy as an all time great.
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