{"id":546390,"date":"2026-03-17T15:03:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T15:03:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/546390\/"},"modified":"2026-03-17T15:03:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T15:03:08","slug":"oleksandr-usyks-team-open-to-mma-bout-with-jon-jones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/546390\/","title":{"rendered":"Oleksandr Usyk’s Team Open to MMA Bout With Jon Jones"},"content":{"rendered":"

Oleksandr Usyk has been openly discussing the future of his boxing career and a plan to become the President of Ukraine<\/a>, and now it has also been revealed that the Ukrainian heavyweight world champion has ambitions to step inside the Octagon.<\/p>\n

Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) will defend the WBC title in curious circumstances against kickboxing king Rico Verhoeven on May 23 at the Pyramids of Giza. The 39-year-old also has his sights set on becoming a four-time undisputed champion after calling out the winner of Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois, who fight for Usyk\u2019s previously vacated WBO title on May 9.<\/p>\n

Usyk\u2019s manager, Sergey Lapin, told Casinostugan<\/a>: \u201cA fight with Jake Paul in MMA at this stage is not being considered. But we are always open to creative and interesting collaborations in the future. If we are talking about crossover fights, a very interesting matchup could be against Jon Jones in the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lapin added: \u201cThe best heavyweight in MMA against one of the best boxers of his generation could become a very big event if organized properly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jones has not graced the cage in 16 months since he defended the UFC heavyweight title with a third-round TKO against Stipe Miocic. Jones retired from MMA, according to UFC president Dana White, but two weeks later, after the UFC White House event was announced, he announced his return. Following months of speculation that Jones would play a key role in the event, it was announced without his participation. Subsequently, Jones asked for his release from the UFC.<\/p>\n

The MMA superstar posted to his X account: \u201cDana, you were heated about why I\u2019m not on the White House card, but let\u2019s clear something up. My team and I were actually negotiating with the UFC for that fight. Real negotiations. I even came down from my original number, and what was I offered in return? I was lowballed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter everything I\u2019ve given to the UFC\u2014the years, the title defenses, the fights\u2014hearing that I\u2019m \u2018done\u2019 is disappointing,\u201d he wrote. \u201cEspecially when, as recently as Friday, UFC was calling me trying to get me on that White House card for a much lower number. If the UFC truly feels like I\u2019m done, then I respectfully ask to be released from my contract today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hey everyone, I wanted to address Dana White\u2019s comments from this past weekend, because the truth matters to me and the fans.
Dana, you were heated about why I\u2019m not on the White House card, but let\u2019s clear something up. My team and I were actually negotiating with the UFC for\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones) March 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n