Oleksandr Usyk has welcomed a bare-knuckle fight with Conor McGregor.
The Ukrainian is coming off the best win of his career when he defeated Tyson Fury to become the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion via a split decision. Usyk followed in the footsteps of Lennox Lewis, who became the last man to win all the belts. The Ukrainian became undisputed in a second weight class with the win. Usyk will rematch Fury on December 21. However, it will not be undisputed after Usyk vacated his IBF belt.
Usyk’s team has hinted at several options should he beat Fury. He could move back down to cruiserweight and try to become undisputed again. However, that is unlikely as he would have to lose significant weight, meaning he might not be the same. Another alternative is to pursue a crossover fight. Several names were mentioned, including McGregor and John Jones. Now, it appears McGregor is the leading Ukrainian name. Usyk’s trainer, Sergey Lapin, has said calls for talks to take place.
Usyk Vs. McGregor
“He’s proven he’s the best of his generation and, once he’s retired Tyson Fury, he will consider his options. Maybe that’s dropping down in weight again, or maybe there’s a wildcard option on the table for him; be it in the boxing ring, the MMA cage or even Conor McGregor’s Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
“Hey bro, Conor McGregor. First Oleksandr Usyk has to retire Tyson Fury, but our team is ready to make something great together with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Let’s talk,” Lupin said
It will be news for McGregor, who recently became a part-owner of BKFC. He has stated that he wants to fight in BKFC once his UFC contract expires. McGregor has two fights left on his UFC contract. He was scheduled to take on Michael Chandler at UFC 303 on June 29. However, the Irishman pulled out with a broken toe. He expects to return in September with the aim of fighting by the end of the year.
During this period, McGregor has been talking up BKFC. At a presser for BKFC Spain, McGregor indicated that he wanted fighters to consider BKFC as an alternative. He promised fighters bigger paydays, expressing his intention to win a title in another promotion. McGregor has enough pulling power to do that. His fight with Chandler set a new UFC live gate record with over $20 million. McGregor hopes to replicate that in BKFC.
McGregor On BKFC
“For me, I’ve got a bit of business left with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, two fights left on my contract. But for sure we have three lightweights up here and I have my eye on all of this. I’m not here up here just as a knower, player-manager I’d title myself on this. That’s me. I am coming to the end of my contract. I have two fights left. This is a very, very exciting organization here. How could you not?
“How could you not look to become a two-sport world champion in something as wild as a bareknuckle fighting organization. We’ve got the money, too. We’ve got the dough. This is big payouts here, also – big pay, big shows, big news, and a coveted world title in a wild and dangerous game. For any real fighter out there, that’s all you want to hear. Money, power, respect – Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship has it all,” McGregor said
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