The recent agreement between UFC CEO Dana White and Saudi Arabian combat sports promoter Turki Alalshikh is opening doors for exciting crossovers into boxing. This deal could pave the way for UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira to face heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk in a boxing ring, an idea Pereira is very interested in.
Pereira, who is set to defend his UFC light heavyweight title this Saturday in Las Vegas against Magomed Ankalaev, expressed his excitement about this news during a media event.
“I was thrilled when I heard the announcement,” Pereira said. “Maybe September. In Saudi Arabia.”
He added, “I was the first one to express interest, and then Usyk also showed interest. Now, we need to see if the organizations are interested. I will be ready.”
The only previous time the UFC partnered with a boxing organization for a special event was for Conor McGregor’s boxing match against Floyd Mayweather. Despite McGregor losing, the event was a massive financial success, generating huge pay-per-view numbers and profits.
While Dana White initially downplayed the idea of UFC fighters participating in his new boxing venture, he has previously changed his stance on similar matters, like McGregor’s boxing match.
The potential fight gains further interest because Usyk is the current heavyweight champion, unlike Mayweather who was retired before facing McGregor. However, Pereira is unsure if a fight with Usyk would be as commercially successful as Mayweather vs. McGregor.
“It’s difficult to say,” Pereira commented. “We know how popular those two are, and I am still building my name in the media. I think I might be a bit behind them in terms of media attention, so I’m not sure how it would compare.”
Nevertheless, Pereira believes he is currently the most prominent figure in the UFC, considering his success in and out of the octagon, which could boost the fight’s appeal.
“I think so,” Pereira replied when asked if he is now the face of the UFC. “I am a very active fighter, last year was very successful, so my name is being talked about in the media with positive results. I believe I am [the face of the UFC].”
Although Pereira is focused on defending his title against Ankalaev, he is definitely considering various options for his future.
“I want to defend my belt, that’s my main focus, but we certainly have options,” Pereira stated. “A fight with Dricus Du Plessis at light heavyweight, or Jon Jones at heavyweight, or boxing Usyk. These are possibilities I’m thinking about, and I believe these three are realistic options.”
“It doesn’t depend solely on me, I don’t have complete control. I will do whatever the UFC decides.”
