Oleksandr Usyk's next fight could be against Jake Paul - on one condition

Anthony Joshua might be facing a setback as Oleksandr Usyk's camp has indicated that discussions are 'underway' for a potential bout with Jake Paul - but only if is in the cage.

Paul - who signed with the PFL in 2023 - is yet to debut in MMA. The 'Problem Child' has promised to start training soon, and it seems Usyk is on his radar. "Yeah, I want to be like Holly (Holm) here and test my skills in the cage," he said back in May when asked about his MMA ambitions. "That's something I'm super, super interested in, and I think it would be a very, very big spectacle. Nate Diaz is still ducking, but we would need to find the right opponent. [Oleksandr] Usyk, maybe."

Following this, Usyk's team has expressed interest in an MMA showdown with Paul. The social media star-turned-boxer was present for the Ukrainian's victory over Daniel Dubois last month, and their post-fight ring face-off hinted at a future fight.

Just a few weeks after their tense meeting, Sergey Lapin, director of Team Usyk, disclosed that negotiations have begun for Usyk to take on Paul in the MMA cage, potentially as soon as early 2026. In a conversation with Plejmo, Lapin stated: "The team is currently working on the next fight. We're looking at a few options, focusing on those who make sense both sport-wise and in terms of audience interest and status," reports All Out Fighting.

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"Almost every fighter has called out Jake Paul. But our story is different. For us it’s about MMA, something non-standard, and that’s where its power lies. We’re not talking about a boxing match with Oleksandr Usyk, no disrespect to Jake, but in MMA the chances are more even. Jake has some experience, while Oleksandr would have to adapt quickly. This could become a massive show with a huge global audience. Talks are already underway, and if everything lines up, the fight could happen early next year."

This revelation comes as a major blow to Joshua, who has been itching for a crack at the American. Earlier this year, Paul shockingly called out the two-time heavyweight champion for a fight. The pair then verbally agreed to a dust-up over the phone. Whispers suggested their clash might be slated for late next year.

But in a twist, Paul's promoter and business partner, Nakisa Bidarian, revealed to Sky Sports that they are hashing things out with Eddie Hearn for a much sooner date. "I think the fight can absolutely happen," he declared. "I'm looking at it as Jake versus Joshua, which is quite biblical, and it's quite impactful in many ways. I think size wise, we can get comfortable with it, and I think experience wise, Jake is learning very fast and growing, and Joshua is a little long in the tooth. So it could be a very interesting matchup, and we're actively discussing it with Matchroom.

"I think we're looking at it happening at the start of 2026. It's public that AJ was taking a little time away, I think he had a little surgery. So once he's ready, and once Jake is ready, we're going to squarely focus on that. It's a fight that Jake wants to do, and that's a discussion we've had at length, and he feels very confident about where he is in his career and his chances of upsetting Anthony Joshua."

When is Jake Paul's next fight?

After his triumph over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr back in June, Paul is eager to stay busy in the ring. The internet sensation can now compete for a world championship after being included in the WBC's cruiserweight rankings following his victory over the former middleweight titleholder.

The 28-year-old's representative disclosed that his client is determined to challenge for a world title 'as soon as possible'. Nevertheless, he acknowledges it's unlikely to be his immediate next bout, considering the current landscape at cruiserweight. "Absolutely [he will fight again this year]. November or December," Bidarian told Ariel Helwani when questioned about Paul's upcoming plans.

"I'm seeing him tonight for dinner, and we will have a conversation [about his next opponent]. The only possibility right now is that Jake wants to fight for a belt as soon as possible. I have to talk to him, I think it's tough this year [to box for a world title]. Badou Jack is who he wants to fight more than anyone, and he has a mandatory rematch with the guy he just beat [Noel Mikaelian] for the WBC. I don't know if this year is possible [for the title fight], but we'll see."