Usyk Plans to Retire After Two More Fights – Open to a Final Showdown with Alex Pereira

Oleksandr Usyk, the reigning unified heavyweight champion, has hinted at his retirement after two more fights, sending shockwaves through the boxing world. Usyk, who has already etched his name in history by conquering both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, is now looking toward the finish line of his illustrious career. However, before hanging up his gloves, he has left the door open for one final, unexpected showdown—with UFC champion Alex Pereira.

This revelation has sparked intense speculation and debate among fight fans and analysts. Could Usyk, a masterful technician in the boxing ring, truly entertain a fight with a UFC knockout artist? Would this be a crossover fight similar to Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou, or does Usyk have something else in mind?

In this deep dive, we will explore:

• Usyk’s retirement plans and the two fights left on his contract.

• The significance of a potential Alex Pereira showdown.

• How this fight could shape Usyk’s legacy.

Usyk’s Retirement Plan: Two Fights Left

Oleksandr Usyk has been on a remarkable journey. The Ukrainian superstar became undisputed cruiserweight champion before moving up to heavyweight, where he defeated Anthony Joshua twice to capture multiple world titles.

However, at 37 years old, Usyk is now planning his exit strategy. According to his recent statements, he will fight twice more before stepping away from professional boxing for good.

The Two Remaining Fights on His Agenda

1. Usyk vs. Tyson Fury—The Undisputed Heavyweight Showdown

• The long-awaited battle between Usyk and Tyson Fury is already set to take place on May 18, 2024, in Saudi Arabia.

• This fight will crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis.

• If Usyk wins, he will have achieved a historic feat—becoming a two-division undisputed champion.

2. A Final Heavyweight Fight Before Retiring

• If he defeats Fury, Usyk may grant a rematch, or he could take on a rising contender like Filip Hrgović, Daniel Dubois, or Zhilei Zhang.

• Another option is a farewell fight in Ukraine, although geopolitical issues make this difficult.

After these two fights, Usyk has expressed a desire to retire from boxing, but he has surprisingly left the door open for a final crossover fight—one that no one saw coming.

Why Is Usyk Considering Alex Pereira?

Alex Pereira, a former UFC middleweight champion and the current UFC light heavyweight champion, has made a name for himself with his devastating knockout power. His background in kickboxing has translated into one of the most dangerous striking arsenals in MMA.

So why is Usyk, a pure boxer, entertaining the idea of fighting a UFC fighter?

1. The Rising Trend of Crossover Fights

• The success of Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou proved that boxing vs. MMA matchups can generate massive global attention.

• Pereira has shown interest in testing himself in boxing, making this fight a realistic possibility.

• Usyk may see this as a unique challenge before retirement, similar to Floyd Mayweather’s bout with Conor McGregor.

2. Pereira’s Striking Ability—A Worthy Opponent?

• Unlike Ngannou, who was an MMA fighter with raw punching power, Pereira has an extensive striking background in professional kickboxing.

• Pereira has defeated world-class strikers like Israel Adesanya and Jan Błachowicz, proving his ability to exchange in a stand-up fight.

• While Pereira lacks Usyk’s technical boxing skills, his power and size could make the fight competitive.

3. A Potential Massive Payday for Usyk’s Retirement Fight

• A crossover fight against Pereira would generate massive PPV sales, attracting fans from both boxing and MMA.

• If Usyk defeats Fury, he will have undisputed champion status, which would add even more value to a fight against Pereira.

• Saudi Arabia or Las Vegas would likely be interested in hosting such a fight, offering record-breaking purses for both fighters.

Would this fight be competitive? Usyk vs. Pereira Breakdown

If this fight happens, how would it play out inside the ring? Let’s analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each fighter.

Oleksandr Usyk’s Advantages

✔ Elite Boxing IQ—Usyk is one of the most technically gifted boxers of this era, with masterful movement and defensive skills.
✔ Speed & Footwork—His ability to move and frustrate opponents would make it difficult for Pereira to land clean shots.
✔ Stamina & Endurance—Usyk has gone 12 rounds multiple times and knows how to maintain his energy.

Alex Pereira’s Advantages

✔ One-Punch Knockout Power—If Pereira lands cleanly, he has the ability to end the fight instantly.
✔ Bigger Frame & Reach—At 6’4″, Pereira is naturally larger than Usyk and has a long reach.
✔ Striking Background—Unlike Francis Ngannou, who transitioned from MMA to boxing late, Pereira has high-level striking experience from his kickboxing days.

Predicted Fight Outcome

• Usyk would likely outbox Pereira, using his footwork and movement to avoid big shots.

• Pereira would need to land a perfect punch early to have a chance.

• Over time, Usyk’s precision, jab control, and experience would likely lead to a late stoppage or a unanimous decision win.

Fight Format: Would It Be a Boxing Match or Hybrid Rules?

• If it’s traditional boxing rules, Usyk has a significant edge.

• If modified rules are introduced, such as allowing small gloves or clinch strikes, Pereira could be more dangerous.

Regardless of the format, the fight would attract massive attention worldwide.

How This Fight Could Impact Usyk’s Legacy

If Usyk fights Pereira as his final bout, what would it mean for his career?

1. Ending on a High Note

• Defeating Fury and Pereira back-to-back would cement Usyk’s place as one of the greatest fighters of all time.

2. Expanding His Global Popularity

• Facing a UFC star like Pereira would introduce Usyk to a new audience of MMA fans.

3. Proving Boxing’s Superiority Over MMA

• If Usyk easily outclasses Pereira, it could reinforce the idea that boxers have the edge in striking matchups against MMA fighters.

Conclusion: Will Usyk vs. Pereira Actually Happen?

While Usyk’s focus remains on Tyson Fury, the fact that he is open to fighting Alex Pereira before retirement is an intriguing development. With crossover fights gaining popularity, this matchup could become one of the biggest combat sports events in recent history.

Will Usyk retire as the undisputed heavyweight champion, or will he take on the unpredictable challenge of Alex Pereira?

Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—Oleksandr Usyk’s final two fights will be must-watch events for fight fans around the world.