Oleksandr Usyk in ‘dialogue’ for ‘a move nobody expects’

Oleksandr Usyk’s future is often discussed, and since vacating the WBO heavyweight title, elevating Fabio Wardley to full champion, the Mercurial Ukrainian has confirmed he will be back in the ring in 2026. Ahead of this comeback, Team Usyk member Sergey Lapin has spoken to the talkSPORT Bet Slot Site, revealing that they are in talks with Dana White and Zuffa Boxing.

Oleksandr Usyk in talks with Zuffa Boxing

Please check the following: In a recent interview with Boxing King Media, Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) expressed his desire to fight Deontay Wilder and has reiterated this since. It remains to be seen whether that fight can be made, but it appears Usyk could be entering a new promotional agreement soon, with Sergey Lapin from Team Usyk revealing that they are in talks with Dana White and Zuffa Boxing:

“There is contact, there is dialogue, and interest exists [from Dana White and Zuffa Boxing]. Details aren’t for the public right now. Let’s say a few doors are open and if format, numbers, and timing align, the market could see a move nobody expects.

“Everyone has seen what he [Dana White] did. He turned “old MMA” into the global UFC machine. His real power is packaging not just a fight, but an event. If he gets involved, the scale and attention immediately become different.”

Zuffa Boxing continue to make moves

Zuffa Boxing announced that it has the intention to host 12 shows throughout 2026 and make changes to boxing: “We’re going to start from the ground up,” White said. “We are already working on a new design for the ring.

“That meeting was yesterday, too. We had a huge design meeting for a new boxing ring,” said White.

Their proposed changes to the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act have been widely criticised, but Dana White & Co appear untroubled and are set to promote their first show on January 23, which will be headlined by Callum Walsh vs Carlos Ocampo.

They also made a move recently that sent shockwaves through the boxing world, signing IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia. Despite the signing of the Aussie fighter, a move for Oleksandr Usyk would send a clear message to all the other boxing promoters that Zuffa are here to stay.