From Ring to Octagon? Oleksandr Usyk Eyes MMA After Dubois Rematch Drama

When Oleksandr Usyk steps into the ring, he doesn’t just fight—he calculates, outsmarts, and outlasts. The Ukrainian maestro, known for dismantling heavyweights with surgical precision, is once again making headlines. This time, it’s not just about defending titles or silencing critics. It’s about potentially stepping into an entirely new battlefield: the MMA cage. But before that seismic shift can occur, Usyk has unfinished business—an undisputed rematch with Daniel Dubois.

Fans are already buzzing about what’s next for Usyk. Could he truly be the next crossover star, following the footsteps of boxers-turned-MMA-headliners? Or is this just another twist in the chess game he’s been playing with the heavyweight division?

Let’s dive deep into this headline-making development, unpack the drama with Dubois, and explore why Usyk versus Pereira in the UFC octagon could become one of the most unexpected—and electric—sporting events of the decade.

The Road to Redemption: Daniel Dubois vs. Oleksandr Usyk II

Back in 2023, Usyk clashed with the formidable Daniel Dubois in a high-stakes showdown. The Ukrainian walked away victorious in the ninth round—but not without controversy. A fifth-round body shot from Dubois, deemed a low blow, sparked heated debate among fans, pundits, and fighters alike. The replay looked dicey. Was it too low, or was it the punch that could’ve changed the trajectory of the fight?

Despite the win, the aftertaste of that bout lingered. And now, in 2025, Usyk wants clarity. He’s laser-focused on the rematch—a chance to silence the critics, unify the belts, and restore the unquestionable nature of his reign.

“I want to fight Dubois,” Usyk told Al Arabiya News. “My team is ready.”

The path to that rematch, however, is full of politics and promotion. Usyk credits Turki Alalshikh, the influential Saudi advisor and sports promoter, as the key to unlocking this fight. Without his backing, Usyk admits, the bout might not happen.

Heavyweight Drama: Belts, Pullouts, and Title Vacations

Boxing’s heavyweight division is anything but predictable. Since their first encounter, both Dubois and Usyk have taken turbulent paths.

Usyk, after his win over Dubois, went on to make history by twice defeating Tyson Fury in 2024. The victories solidified his legend status—but came at a cost. In order to secure the December rematch, Usyk vacated the IBF title.

Enter Daniel Dubois. Elevated from interim champ to IBF titleholder, Dubois made headlines by knocking out Anthony Joshua in a brutal bout that stunned fans worldwide. But just when the spotlight was brightest, illness forced him to pull out of a scheduled title defense against Joseph Parker.

In a dramatic twist, Parker fought replacement Martin Bakole—and won. The WBO then ordered Parker to face Usyk, making things messier than ever in boxing’s alphabet soup of titles.

Still, Usyk’s heart is set on Dubois. Not Parker. Not Joshua. And certainly not another sidestep. The goal? Unify the heavyweight belts once again.

Trending in Combat Sports: Boxers Crossing Into MMA

Usyk isn’t the first boxer to tease a crossover into MMA—but he might be the most intriguing. Why? Because this isn’t a fighter relying on brute strength. Usyk is a tactician. An Olympic gold medalist. A thinker. Seeing him test those skills against a completely different set of combat rules offers an edge-of-your-seat kind of curiosity.

Recently, UFC light-heavyweight Alex Pereira called out the Ukrainian legend, challenging him to a crossover fight. Pereira, known for his lethal striking and stoic demeanor, represents one of MMA’s most dangerous men. And now, he wants Usyk inside the cage.

In response, Usyk didn’t dismiss the idea. Quite the opposite.

“Yes, I would be interested, but only after the fight with Daniel to merge our belts,” Usyk said. “I even considered the option of fighting in a cage. It is a joke, but every joke contains an element of truth.”

That truth? The lines between boxing and MMA are blurring more than ever.

Could Usyk vs. Pereira Actually Happen?

Let’s imagine it. Oleksandr Usyk, 38, fresh off a belt-merging rematch with Dubois, steps into the MMA octagon against a former UFC champion.

It would be a fight that goes beyond titles. This would be about legacy. About spectacle. About two worlds colliding—graceful footwork meeting relentless grappling, boxing IQ meeting MMA unpredictability.

Pereira is 37, hungry for a comeback after losing his UFC light-heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev. A crossover bout could offer him a high-profile redemption arc—and attract millions of viewers.

For Usyk, who has already cemented his legacy in boxing, the challenge is personal. He’s never shied away from risk. Stepping into MMA would showcase a rare kind of fearlessness.

Plus, let’s be real—crossover fights are trending. From Mayweather vs. McGregor to Tyson Fury flirting with MMA stunts, fans are hooked. And with Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in sports entertainment, the logistics aren’t as impossible as they once seemed.

What This Means for Combat Sports

Usyk’s potential crossover is more than a one-off fight. It signals a broader shift in combat sports.

Fans today want more than tradition. They want excitement, unpredictability, and narrative. A boxing-MMA hybrid bout ticks all those boxes. It’s the kind of event that unites two fanbases, trends across social platforms, and breaks pay-per-view records.

It also adds depth to Usyk’s character. He’s not just a disciplined athlete—he’s an entertainer, a risk-taker, a modern-day gladiator who refuses to be boxed into just one sport.

Oleksandr Usyk has always done things differently. From dominating at cruiserweight to outclassing heavyweights, he’s proven time and again that technique trumps brute force. Now, with a rematch against Daniel Dubois on the horizon and whispers of an MMA debut, Usyk is reshaping what it means to be a modern combat sports icon.

He’s chasing not just titles, but challenges. Not just belts, but bold new arenas. Whether or not the MMA fight happens, Usyk has already captured imaginations worldwide—showing that greatness often lies beyond comfort zones.

And if there’s one thing fans love, it’s watching a master take on a new masterpiece.

Stay tuned to our blog for more updates on crossover boxing-MMA events, heavyweight title fights, and athlete evolution in combat sports. For a deeper dive into the strategies behind successful sports events, check out our article on the rise of sports megafights and what fuels their global success.