Oleksandr Usyk is in talks for a promotional deal with Zuffa Boxing. The unified champion parted ways with longtime promoter Alex Krassyuk of K2 Promotions last June, and his manager Egis Klimas is now deep in talks with the Dana White-backed outfit. If finalized, this move could reshape how Usyk operates in the American market and raises serious questions about his unified titles.
After splitting from Krassyuk following the Daniel Dubois rematch negotiations, he also ended his arrangement with Riyadh Season as of December. That Saudi deal, signed in June 2023, helped secure the Tyson Fury fights but appears to have run its course. Earlier in his career, Matchroom Boxing co-promoted Usyk alongside K2 to land the Anthony Joshua bouts. Now, the Ukrainian is betting on a U.S.-based platform to control his next chapter.
Wilder Matchup Targets Spring Date
The immediate focus is a fight with Deontay Wilder, tentatively planned for late April or early May in Las Vegas or Los Angeles. Wilder has dropped three of his last five outings to Fury twice, Joseph Parker, and Zhilei Zhang. Critics, including John Fury, have warned that Wilder is a diminished fighter who risks serious harm against an operator like Usyk. Still, the stylistic contrast between Usyk’s technical mastery and Wilder’s right hand gives the fight commercial appeal, even if competitive logic suggests a mismatch.
The bigger complication is whether Usyk will defend his WBA, WBC, and IBF titles under Zuffa’s banner. Dana White has made clear that his events will not feature sanctioning body belts, a stance that conflicts with Usyk’s status as unified champion. Usyk previously gave up the IBF belt before reclaiming it against Dubois, then vacated the WBO strap. Letting go of all three remaining titles to fight under Zuffa rules would be unprecedented for an active unified champion, but it would fit White’s model of operating outside traditional boxing structures.
If Usyk signs with Zuffa and faces Wilder without titles on the line, the heavyweight division could splinter further. The IBF, WBA, and WBC would likely mandate defenses or order vacant title fights, opening the door for contenders like Daniel Dubois, Fabio Wardley, or Agit Kabayel to claim belts. Usyk would still carry name value and lineal recognition, but the sanctioning bodies would fill the void quickly. Whether that trade-off is worth a Zuffa platform and a payday against Wilder depends on how Usyk values titles versus control and exposure in the U.S. market.
Usyk fighting Wilder sounds cool but if there’s no titles then it don’t count for nothing really. I don’t see why fans should care if it ain’t for a belt.
This whole thing sounds dumb to me 🤷♂️ Why would Usyk go mess around with MMA people when he got respect in boxing? He gonna lose all them belts for what?
I don’t get why Usyk would throw away all his belts just to sign with Zuffa. Titles is what makes a champ, not just fighting in America. He should stick with real boxing rules.
Exactly bro! If he drops the belts, how is he even gonna prove he’s the best? That’s not how boxing supposed to work.
He just want that UFC money. But it ain’t worth more than the titles. Dana White don’t care about real boxing anyway.