Former undisputed boxing heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk has namechecked UFC fighter Conor McGregor as an opponent he would be open to facing after his rematch against Tyson Fury.
McGregor remains the most followed combat athlete on social media and has turned to boxing before, losing in the 10th round to Floyd Mayweather on his professional debut in 2017 in one of the most lucrative fights in history.
“Why not McGregor?” Usyk asked Boxing King Media. “Come on. I’m ready to fight. My team work [on future fights] – it’s interesting.”
Usyk reacts to Tyson Fury saying their fight was ‘TOO EASY’ 😳 PIC.TWITTER.COM/USIBQHXYF0
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) JULY 25, 2024
McGregor vs Usyk
The outlet put it to Usyk that the Ukrainian could compete in bare-knuckle fighting, but it is more likely that a bout with McGregor would take place under boxing rules.
The 37-year-old has never fought in MMA but may feel he is running out of options after defeating the previously unbeaten Fury in May to briefly become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years.
He could also return to the cruiserweight division at which he has spent most of his perfect career, but a bout with McGregor would be far more financially rewarding.
McGregor has not fought since he suffered a broken leg in a UFC defeat to Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
The two-weight champion had been scheduled to face Michael Chandler at middleweight at UFC 303 on June 29 but pulled out with a toe injury.
Fury vs Usyk 2
Usyk is no longer undisputed champion, having been stripped by the IBF because of his inability to meet their mandatory challenger as a consequence of his contractual obligation to grant Fury a rematch.
“My mama said, ‘enough?'” recalled Usyk. “I said, ‘no.’ ‘Why? You’ve won everything.’ I said, ‘yes, but we have a contract for a rematch.’
Oleksandr Usyk is the first undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World in 25 years.
The boxer has told Sky News that behind closed doors he has cried many times over the war in Ukraine. PIC.TWITTER.COM/FBHUIRWPXO
— Sky News (@SkyNews) JULY 25, 2024
“I’m going to continue boxing because I love boxing. I feel I have power. It is my life. My wife told me, ‘listen, I know you’ll never stop boxing.'”
Usyk beat Fury on points at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, where he will meet the Mancunian again on December 21.
