Alex Pereira believes the UFC will agree to organize a huge boxing match for him against Oleksandr Usyk, the current heavyweight boxing champion.
Pereira, known as “Poatan,” is scheduled to defend his UFC light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 on March 8. In a recent interview, Pereira mentioned he is interested in boxing, especially after Usyk said he would be open to a “show fight” with him.
“I’ve said before that I really want to have a boxing match,” Pereira stated in Portuguese during an interview. “When asked who I would fight, I said it would have to be against a champion, and Usyk is the champion. Now he has also mentioned my name in an interview.”
Pereira added, “This is something I want, and he wants it too. Since both boxing and the UFC organizations are working together more now, I think this fight could actually happen.”
Pereira has quickly become a star in the UFC, winning titles in two weight classes with seven knockouts in nine fights. His next title defense follows recent victories over Khalil Rountree, Jiri Prochazka, and Jamahal Hill in 2024.
Usyk has an undefeated boxing record of 23 wins with 14 knockouts. In 2024, he made history by defeating boxing legend Tyson Fury twice. The 38-year-old Usyk has also defeated notable boxers like Daniel Dubois, Anthony Joshua, and Derek Chisora in his impressive career.
