The groundbreaking deal between UFC CEO Dana White and Saudi Arabia fight sports activities promoter Turki Alalshikh to deliver TKO Group Holdings over to the boxing world may open the door for Alex Pereira to field heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk within the squared circle, and “Poatan” reaffirmed his curiosity.
Pereira defends his UFC mild heavyweight belt Saturday in Las Vegas towards Magomed Ankalaev, and reacted to Wednesday’s beautiful information in the course of the UFC 313 media day.
“I jumped for pleasure after I noticed the announcement,” Pereira mentioned in Portuguese. “Possibly September. Saudi Arabia.
“I used to be the primary to point out curiosity, after which Usyk confirmed curiosity. And now we have now to see the curiosity of the organizations. I’ll be prepared.”
The one time the UFC has agreed to companion with a boxing entity for a particular occasion was when Conor McGregor, a two-division UFC champion on the time, arrange a boxing spectacle towards Floyd Mayweather. “The Infamous” misplaced by way of stoppage within the tenth spherical, however amassed 4.3 million home pay-per-view buys — one of many largest promoting playing cards of all time —and earned lots of of thousands and thousands in earnings.
White downplayed his curiosity in UFC fighters crossing over to his new boxing enterprise throughout an look on The Pat McAfee Show saying “I actually don’t need to see any of that” however he additionally as soon as mentioned there was no probability McGregor would have interaction in a boxing match towards Mayweather.
The added curiosity within the struggle additionally comes Usyk serving as the present heavyweight champion, whereas Mayweather was retired for almost two years earlier than dealing with McGregor. However the Brazilian doesn’t know if his potential match towards Usyk may truly surpass Mayweather vs. McGregor when it comes to industrial success.
“It’s arduous to reply,” Pereira mentioned. “We all know of the recognition of these two, and I’m coming. I’m on my path, I’m coming, however I nonetheless assume I’m one step behind them when it comes to media, so I don’t understand how it will be.”
That mentioned, “Poatan” believes he’s now the face of the UFC in the intervening time given his success each inside and outdoors the octagon and that solely helps his trigger.
“I believe so,” Pereira responded when requested if he’s turn out to be the face of the promotion. “I’m a really energetic fighter, final 12 months was a really profitable 12 months, so I believe my identify is being talked about, I’m on the media with good outcomes, so I imagine [I am the face of the UFC].”
Whereas Pereira reaffirmed he’s totally centered on defending his belt Saturday towards Ankalaev, reaching his fourth title protection at mild heavyweight, he’s positively conserving his choices huge open for the long run.
“I need to defend my belt, that’s my focus, however we positively have choices,” Pereira mentioned. “A struggle with Dricus [Du Plessis at 205 pounds] or Jon Jones at heavyweight, or boxing Usyk. These are issues which might be in my thoughts, and I believe these three choices are attainable.
“It doesn’t depend upon me, I don’t have that management. Regardless of the UFC says I’ve to do, I’ll do.”
