Oleksandr Usyk vs Jake Paul in MMA: Positive Talks Held for Crossover Mixed Martial Arts Bout
Talks are underway for a potential mixed martial arts bout between Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk and social media influencer Jake Paul. According to Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of MVP promotional company, discussions between the two parties have been "very positive" and the fight could happen in the near future.
Oleksandr Usyk is widely regarded as one of the best boxers of his generation, having won an Olympic gold medal and becoming undisputed champion at both cruiserweight and heavyweight. On the other hand, Jake Paul is a social media personality who has transitioned into boxing, enjoying significant popular success. Paul has lost a decision to Tommy Fury but has beaten former UFC fighters and staged a high-profile eight-round bout with 58-year-old Mike Tyson.
The idea of a crossover MMA fight between Usyk and Paul came about after Daniel Dubois fought on Paul’s first pay-per-view event in 2021. Bidarian revealed that his company started building a relationship with Usyk’s team after the event. "I think it was three or four months ago when Usyk came out and said: ‘I’d like to do one more fight and I’d like to fight Jake Paul in MMA,’" Bidarian told Sky Sports.
Bidarian believes that an MMA bout with Usyk would be a great opportunity for Paul, stating that it would be a "cross-cultural moment that the world will pay attention to." He added, "Jake is crazy enough to do it for sure, Usyk’s side seem very interested in it. So it’s just about lining up the timing and I think eventually it’s something that will happen."
The potential fight has generated significant interest, with many fans eager to see the two athletes compete in a different discipline. Paul has a wrestling background, but he was reportedly unaware of Usyk’s wrestling credentials. Bidarian laughed, saying, "He told me the other night: ‘Oh, that’s an easy fight.’ I said he’s got a wrestling background. He’s like: ‘Oh [no], I didn’t know that!’"
While there is no official confirmation on the fight, Bidarian remains optimistic that it will happen. "We’ve had a couple of conversations, all very positive, and it just depends on how the timing lines up. I think the opportunity is there," he said.
As the combat sports world continues to evolve, crossover fights like this have become increasingly popular. With both Usyk and Paul having expressed interest in the bout, fans will be eagerly awaiting any official announcement. Sky Sports will continue to provide updates on this developing story.
In related news, Sky Sports will be broadcasting the Callum Simpson vs Ivan Zucco European title fight live on June 7. Fans can tune in to watch the action unfold.
According to Sky Sports, the potential bout between Usyk and Paul has generated significant interest, and it will be interesting to see how this develops in the coming months.
With both fighters having a strong social media presence, this bout has the potential to be a huge event, drawing in fans from both the boxing and MMA worlds.
As reported by Sky Sports, Nakisa Bidarian believes that an MMA bout with Usyk would make sense for Paul, stating that it would be a great opportunity for him to showcase his skills in a different discipline.
The report from Sky Sports also mentioned that Jake Paul has two priorities for his career: becoming a world champion in boxing and putting on great events.
Sky Sports has been at the forefront of reporting on this developing story, providing fans with the latest updates and insights.
In a statement to Sky Sports, Nakisa Bidarian revealed that discussions between the two parties have been "very positive" and the fight could happen in the near future.
Sky Sports will continue to provide updates on this story as more information becomes available.
The potential fight between Usyk and Paul has generated significant interest, and Sky Sports will be keeping fans up to date with the latest developments.
