Oleksandr Usyk vs Jake Paul 'will happen' according to Paul's business partner

Is Usyk serious about MMA?

Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KO's) likely won't stay in the squared circle for much longer. We know he will have one more fight, but the Ukrainian has kept his future plans close to his chest. 

He’s built a legacy that will stand him alongside the greats of our sport, and when he finally calls it quits, he will have enjoyed a career to be proud of. 

However, it's recently come to fruition that Usyk is considering another combat sports venture once he decides to leave the ring for the final time. 

The two-weight undisputed king took to X, in an apparent callout to influencer-turned-boxer, Jake Paul (12-1, 7 KO's). 

"Soon, I'll close the book on boxing, and after that, I'll be waiting for you in the cage. Let's see if you've got the [bravery for it] or just a hunger for hype."

Should ‘The Cat’ pursue an MMA opportunity, it's unclear who would promote. Although it would undoubtedly grab one of the year's biggest PPV draws. 

Jake Paul's partner in his MVP company venture, Nakisa Badarian, seems hopeful about the fight's prospects, revealing that both parties have already had some very constructive conversations. 

“We've had a couple of conversations, all very positive, and it just depends on how the timing lines up. I think the opportunity is there,” he said to Sky Sports.

"Jake is crazy enough to do it for sure, Usyk's side seem very interested in it. So it's just about lining up the timing and I think eventually it's something that will happen.

"Paul vs Usyk in MMA, that's going to be a cross-cultural moment that the world will pay attention to. So we're always interested in those opportunities."

Fans will have to wait patiently for such an event to unfold, with the 38-year-old's promotional company stressing that they still have work to be done in the ring before he moves on to new horizons. 

"Oleksandr has earned the time to recover. And after that, fans will see him back in the ring - ready for new great fights.

"Right now, our team is considering new opportunities and an exciting location to stage another fight for the undisputed world championship.

"In the meantime, we wish good luck to Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley - may the best man win."