OLEKSANDR USYK has a two-man shortlist for the final fight of his career.
ahead of his “Last Dance”.
Deontay Wilder pictured with Oleksandr Usyk
Retired UFC legend Jon Jones Credit: Getty
And his advisor Sergey Lapin has told Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger that and are at the top of Usyk’s wishlist.
Wilder – the 40-year-old former WBC champion – at London’s O2 Arena.
It came after he failed in talks to fight – who has achieved everything in boxing barring having a major bout in America.
Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel confirmed to SunSport that they are open to making the fight next.
Jones, 38, meanwhile has not fought in the UFC since beating Stipe Miocic in November 2024.
He walked away from a super-fight with Britain’s UFC heavyweight world champ Tom Aspinall – after retiring in June 2025.
But he remains contracted to the – meaning he is barred from fighting outside of the promotion – including in boxing.
Only has ever received an exemption to compete outside of his UFC deal for his 2017 crossover bout with .
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returns to the ring in July to face Kristian Prenga ahead of a potential blockbuster bout against Tyson Fury later in the year.
And returns for his toughest fight yet against Filip Hrgovic in August.
July
- Sat 4 – Bruce Carrington vs Rene Palacios
- Sat 18 – Harlem Eubank vs David Papot – DAZN
- Sat 25 – Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga – DAZN
- Sun 26 – Errol Spence Jr vs Tim Tszyu
August
- Sat 1 – Pierce O’Leary vs Mark Chamberlain – DAZN
- Sat 15 – Claressa Shields vs Kaye Scott – DAZN
- Sat 29 – Moses Itauma vs Filip Hrgovic – DAZN
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McGregor was beaten in ten rounds and UFC boss Dana White claimed he would never sanction a similar fight.
That is despite this year launching Zuffa Boxing with the TKO Group that also own the WWE.
Usyk, 39, is coming off a controversial win over kickboxing great Rico Verhoeven, 37, in Egypt in May.
He won with just one second of round 11 left while replays actually
Verhoeven – who came into the fight with just one professional boxing bout to his name – failed in his appeal of the result.
Usyk was expected to be – before announcing that he was relinquishing the belts.
He said: “I want to vacate all the belts I currently hold.
“I want to make them available so the guys who are next in line can fight for them.
“Friends, I’m leaving the belts but I’m not leaving the sport because I still have my last dance.
“I want to thank everyone. I have a great respect for all organisations. I want to thank everyone and say there’s more to come!”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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