Oleksandr Usyk is focused on preventing one of many UFC’s greatest stars.
Usyk retained his WBC, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles when he defeated Tyson Fury by unanimous determination this previous December in Saudi Arabia. The 37-year-old plans on competing two extra instances earlier than hanging up his gloves.
Daniel Dubois will defend his IBF heavyweight world title in opposition to Joseph Parker Feb. 22 in Saudi Arabia. The winner of that battle is the primary a part of Usyk’s retirement plan. The second half includes UFC gentle heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
“First, is who wins the subsequent battle (Dubois vs. Parker) on Feb. 22,” Usyk instructed TNT Sports activities. “Subsequent? Possibly a present battle with Alex Pereira. Possibly – why not? Alex needs to.”
Pereira defends his gentle heavyweight title in opposition to Magomed Ankalaev within the UFC 313 headliner on March 8 at T-Cellular Enviornment in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+).
Pereira has an intensive beginner boxing background, and boxed as soon as as knowledgeable in July 2017 when he completed Marcelo de Souza Cruz by TKO in Brazil.
The previous two-division Glory Kickboxing champion has just lately expressed focused on lacing up the gloves once more. He beforehand accepted Jake Paul’s callout, and put his hand up when UFC CEO Dana White mentioned plans of venturing into boxing.
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