Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk is considering a fight against former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder or former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
The Ring reported this. According to journalist Mike Coppinger, the bout could take place in late 2026 or early 2027 in the United States.
The Ring notes that a fight with Wilder is currently the priority option for Usyk. The American was long regarded as one of the most dangerous knockout punchers in the heavyweight division and held the WBC title from 2015 to 2020.
At the same time, the option of facing Jon Jones would be a high-profile crossover between boxing and MMA. Jones is one of the most decorated fighters in UFC history and a former champion at light heavyweight and heavyweight. However, he has no professional boxing experience, and a move into the ring could be complicated by his contractual obligations with the UFC.
The report about potential opponents comes after Usyk announced that he had vacated the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles but stressed that he was not retiring. The Ukrainian called his future bout his “last dance.”
That move effectively allows Usyk to avoid being tied to mandatory title defenses and to choose the format of his final fight himself. A potential bout in the United States could therefore carry not only sporting but also major commercial significance.
Usyk remains one of the most successful boxers of his generation. He was the undisputed world champion at cruiserweight and later became undisputed heavyweight champion. In 2024, the Ukrainian defeated Tyson Fury and unified the division’s major titles.
In 2025, Usyk defeated Daniel Dubois for a second time at Wembley, knocking out the Briton in the fifth round and maintaining his status as one of the biggest names in world boxing.
Deontay Wilder returned to major boxing in April 2026 after several difficult years, defeating Derek Chisora by split decision in London. That result put his name back into the discussion for major heavyweight fights.
For Usyk, a fight in the United States could become a symbolic end to his career. Despite his global star status, a major bout on the American market remains one of the few events missing from his professional résumé.
There has been no official announcement yet regarding the opponent, date or venue. According to The Ring, the Ukrainian’s team is considering several options, and the final decision will determine the format of Usyk’s “last dance.”
