Rumors & Rumblings: Usyk To Sign With Zuffa?
By Boxing Bob Newman
Rumors are swirling that unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is about to sign a promotional deal with Zuffa. Oleksandr Usyk’s long-time promoter, Alex Krassyuk of K2 Promotions, recently announced a split from the boxer in June 2025. Usyk is now pursuing a multi-fight deal with an American promoter (Zuffa), with manager Egis Klimas in negotiations with major U.S. promotional companies. There are strong indications that Zuffa will be that promoter.
Krassyuk was Usyk’s career-long promoter, but they parted ways in June 2025, just before the Daniel Dubois rematch. Krassyuk secured the rights for the first Usyk vs. Dubois fight in 2023 through a purse bid.
Usyk signed a multi-fight deal with the Saudi Arabian-based Skill Challenge Promotions in June 2023 to help facilitate major bouts, including those with Tyson Fury. However, as of December 2025, Usyk has reportedly parted ways with Riyadh Season (which works with Skill Challenge Promotions) to seek a U.S. deal.
Early in his career, Usyk had a co-promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing, led by Eddie Hearn, alongside K2 Promotions to increase his exposure in the UK. This partnership was instrumental in securing his fights against Anthony Joshua.
Deontay Wilder has the inside track in the Usyk sweepstakes for early 2026. Negotiations are currently underway for a potential Oleksandr Usyk vs. Deontay Wilder fight, but it has not been officially confirmed or signed. The bout is “very likely” to happen, with Usyk’s manager targeting a date in late April or early May 2026 in the United States, likely Las Vegas or Los Angeles.
Wilder has lost three of his last five fights (to Tyson Fury twice, Joseph Parker, and Zhilei Zhang), leading some boxing analysts and fans to believe he is past his prime. The potential matchup is considered an intriguing stylistic clash between Usyk’s elite boxing IQ, movement, and angles, against Wilder’s devastating, one-punch knockout power. Tyson Fury’s father, John Fury, has voiced serious concerns for Wilder’s safety, believing he is a “shot fighter” who shouldn’t be in the ring with a fighter of Usyk’s caliber.
The elephant in the room is whether or not Usyk will be defending his unified titles (WBA/IBF/WBC) if he does sign with Dana White’s Zuffa. White has publicly stated that it is highly unlikely that any fighters on Zuffa cards will be competing for the belts of the four main sanctioning bodies. Usyk has previously relinquished the IBF belt (only to regain it against Daniel Dubois) and most recently the WBO belt. Would it be out of the question for him to vacate all of them? Stay tuned!
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