The groundbreaking deal between UFC CEO Dana White and Saudi Arabia fight sports activities promoter Turki Alalshikh to convey 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 gentle heavyweight belt Saturday in Las Vegas towards Magomed Ankalaev, and reacted to Wednesday’s gorgeous information throughout the UFC 313 media day.
“I jumped for pleasure once I noticed the announcement,” Pereira mentioned in Portuguese. “Perhaps September. Saudi Arabia.
“I used to be the primary to indicate 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 associate 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 through stoppage within the tenth spherical, however amassed 4.3 million home pay-per-view buys — one of many greatest promoting playing cards of all time —and earned tons of of thousands and thousands in income.
White downplayed his curiosity in UFC fighters crossing over to his new boxing enterprise throughout an look on The Pat McAfee Present saying “I actually don’t need to see any of that” however he additionally as soon as mentioned there was no probability McGregor would interact 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 practically two years earlier than going through McGregor. However the Brazilian doesn’t know if his potential match towards Usyk may really surpass Mayweather vs. McGregor when it comes to industrial success.
“It’s exhausting 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 suppose I’m one step behind them when it comes to media, so I don’t know the way it will be.”
That mentioned, “Poatan” believes he’s now the face of the UFC for the time being 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 grow to be the face of the promotion. “I’m a really energetic fighter, final yr was a really profitable yr, 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 targeted on defending his belt Saturday towards Ankalaev, reaching his fourth title protection at gentle heavyweight, he’s positively conserving his choices large open for the longer term.
“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 are in my thoughts, and I believe these three choices are doable.
“It doesn’t depend upon me, I don’t have that management. Regardless of the UFC says I’ve to do, I’ll do.”
