Oleksandr Usyk in Zuffa Boxing talks for Deontay Wilder farewell fight

Oleksandr Usyk is in discussions with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing over a possible farewell fight against Deontay Wilder in the United States. The talks come after Usyk vacated his WBA ‘Super’, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles last week but made clear he has not retired.

Usyk, 39, remains unbeaten in 25 professional fights and is looking at what his team have described as a final major event rather than another title obligation. His team director, Sergey Lapin, told BBC Sport: “Usyk has already stated that he sees Deontay Wilder as the opponent for his last dance. It is a match-up with significant potential from a sporting, media and international perspective.”

Wilder, 40, is no longer the force who held the WBC heavyweight title and built a reputation as one of the division’s most destructive punchers, but he remains a recognisable American name with 43 stoppages among his 45 wins. He returned to the win column in April with a split-decision victory over Derek Chisora, taking his professional record to 45 wins from 50 fights. His manager, Shelly Finkel, told BBC Sport: “If Deontay is offered a fight with Usyk, he would take it.”

Zuffa Boxing has emerged as a possible partner for the event as White’s boxing venture, backed by Saudi Arabian funding, attempts to operate outside the traditional sanctioning-body structure by recognising its own champions. That dynamic is relevant to Usyk, who has stepped away from the belts rather than proceed with his next ordered defence.

Lapin said discussions are active but not advanced to the point of a deal. “We are in direct discussions with Zuffa Boxing at the highest level. At this stage, no agreements have been signed,” he said. “Zuffa Boxing is being considered as one of the potential partners for a major international event. The final structure will be determined based on what is in the best interests of the fight, the fighters, and the overall scale of the project.”

Usyk’s decision to vacate followed his controversial 11th-round stoppage of kickboxing great Rico Verhoeven in May. Verhoeven, who had boxed only once before, pushed Usyk deep into the fight and there have been calls for a rematch, but Usyk instead appears to be prioritising Wilder after being ordered to defend his WBC title against interim champion Agit Kabayel. Kabayel has since been upgraded to full world champion.

Jon Jones alternative remains in background

The American option has also been linked to former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones. The Ring reported last week that Lapin said Usyk was eyeing a fight against Wilder or Jones later this year in the United States, with Jones widely rumoured to be considering a move to heavyweight boxing.

Jones last fought at UFC 309 in November 2024 and has since been involved in a contract dispute after White refused to put him on the UFC’s White House card. Jones requested his release from the promotion, claiming he was lowballed during negotiations, then announced in March 2026 that he had “hung up” his gloves to become a “businessman”. In April, after talks with UFC executives, he backtracked and left the door open to fighting again.

For now, Wilder is the clearest boxing target for Usyk’s final appearance. Lapin said America is “the most logical option”, but the venue, date, broadcaster and promotional structure remain unresolved. “There is considerable interest surrounding this possibility at the moment, but no concrete agreements have been reached,” he said. “A fight of this level requires more than just the right names. It also requires the right partner, the right venue, the right broadcast platform, and an event of the appropriate scale.”