Oleksandr Usyk appears serious about his desire to compete in MMA, but one top coach is not sure it\u2019s a good idea.<\/p>\n
Usyk<\/a> has established himself as a pound-for-pound great in the sport of boxing, where his illustrious career has included undisputed title reigns in two weight classes.<\/p>\n The 38-year-old\u2019s resume is a who\u2019s who of stars at this point, with wins over the likes of Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, and Tony Bellew contributing to a perfect 24-0 pro record.<\/p>\n It\u2019s clear that Usyk is at the back end of his career, but that does not mean \u2018The Cat\u2019 is without ongoing ambitions. One is to try his hand at a different sport, and Usyk\u2019s back-and-forth with Jake Paul<\/a> has seemingly opened the door to a possible MMA bout.<\/p>\n Good plan, @jakepaul<\/a>. But I\u2019m not here for 5th place \u2014 only first. \u2014 Oleksandr Usyk (@usykaa) September 24, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n View Tweet<\/p>\n Fedor Emelianenko\u2019s striking coach says Oleksandr Usyk wouldn\u2019t last a minute against a \u2018basic wrestler\u2019<\/p>\n Almost three years after Paul signed with the PFL<\/a> and announced his intention to add MMA<\/a> to his polarizing combat sports career, he is still yet to compete inside the cage.<\/p>\n Although Paul is gearing up to box Gervonta Davis<\/a> in an exhibition and also has his sights on Anthony Joshua, the Cleveland native has also called out Usyk for an MMA showdown.<\/p>\n Speaking to Telecom Asia Sport<\/a>, Fedor Emelianenko\u2019s longtime striking coach, Alexander Michkov, assessed Usyk\u2019s potential crossover to the cage. The trainer gave a grim outlook for the Ukrainian star, suggesting that even a \u201cbasic\u201d wrestler would be able to finish him almost immediately.<\/p>\n \u201cConsidering Usyk\u2019s age, I think he has no place in MMA,\u201d Michkov said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf his opponent is a boxer, then obviously Oleksandr has a better chance to win. But if it\u2019s even a kickboxer, he\u2019s gonna have troubles.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would be impressive if Usyk could last a minute against a basic wrestler,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Jake Paul predicted to fight much older opponent than Oleksandr Usyk for his MMA debut<\/p>\n One former title challenger appears to disagree with Michkov\u2019s take.<\/p>\n While talk continues to pick up regarding an MMA bout between Paul and Usyk, Dan Hardy thinks the ex-Disney star will pursue a more comfortable first foray into the cage. Hardy expects Paul to choose an opponent older than Usyk<\/a>, despite the Ukrainian\u2019s \u201clegitimate\u201d interest in competing inside the cage.<\/p>\n \u201cI know for a fact that Usyk is interested, like legitimately interested in fighting in MMA and he\u2019s the kind of person, he\u2019s eccentric enough to have a wrestling skillset or he\u2019s like a brown belt in, something like that,\u201d Hardy told Bloody Elbow<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cHe seems like an interesting person who would take to MMA very well. The downside to Jake Paul, though, is unless his wrestling is up to par, that\u2019s a horrible fight for him in boxing or mixed martial arts.<\/p>\n \u201cUsyk\u2019s a smart guy with great footwork, he\u2019s ambidextrous, I think he would be a problem in mixed martial arts,\u201d Hardy continued. \u201cI think if we see Jake Paul, he\u2019s gonna be fighting someone that\u2019s well into their 40s if it\u2019s an MMA fight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Soon, I’ll close the book on boxing, and after that, I\u2019ll be waiting for you in the cage. Let\u2019s see if you\u2019ve got the balls or just a hunger for hype. https:\/\/t.co\/d0IuwLesKX<\/a><\/p>\n