Will Usyk sign with Zuffa boxing ?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by MarkusFlorez99, Jan 21, 2026.

  1. MarkusFlorez99

    MarkusFlorez99 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Thats where Turki is at
     
  2. like a boss

    like a boss have gloves will travel Full Member

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    No, I don't think that will happen.

    But they are holding discussions, so the possibility can't be completely dismissed.
     
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2026
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  3. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I don't think so. Dana is friends with Trump and Usyk hates Dementia Don's guts.
     
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  4. Sandman_

    Sandman_ The Phoenix flew & the Big Fish knew Full Member

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    It's a logical play. Get Usyk & tell the alphabet organisations to go #### themselves.

    If the MMA bloke & Turki have Usyk, they control the Heavyweight Championship of the World.

    Control the Heavyweight Championship of the World & you're well on the way to controlling boxing.
     
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  5. Badbot

    Badbot You can just do things.

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    :dunno By that logic, why would he even want to fight in the US?

    P.S. its been confirmed that Zuffa and Usyk are in talks right now, remains to be seen what comes of it. Zuffa signed a streaming deal with Paramount, who are on a spending spree, so its possible that they can get the money to sign Usyk.
     
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  6. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Not everyone in the US is friends with Trump.
     
  7. Badbot

    Badbot You can just do things.

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    Trump is literally the president... Over half of the electorate voted for him. I think you are overestimating Usyk´s supposed hatred of Trump.
    Also, Turki is tied to Zuffa, whom Usyk has a good relationship with.
     
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  8. Dagnaldinho

    Dagnaldinho Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Im still very confused about the format Zuffa are going with.

    Is it in house fights only, or are they working with other promoters?
     
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  9. LoveThis

    LoveThis Sweet Science Full Member

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    In general I would agree that controlling the undisputed champ with the belts is good for the sheik/zuffa. But in this case... They can't hold the belts like that. Usyk will not easily be beaten for a younger zuffa fighter to hold the belts next. Also he is bound to retire in a few years at most. Also if he doesn't defend against the mandatories, he will lose the belts. Even sooner when being involved with zuffa, who have no credibility/history/standing yet. Only dismissal from most boxing fans.

    Granted the undisputed (even if wardley holds a belt) champ will put a bit of a shine on zuffa. But not that much I would assume.

    Also the trump discussion won't lead anywhere. Politics don't belong here, right? I mean I would assume Usyk is not happy with Trump's handling of Ukraine but also has a business sense/ maybe even wants to promote the ukraine's cause in the US by fighting Wilder there?

    But discussing our views on trump will only lead to disagreements that are (in this forum) better spent on boxing issues :)
     
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  10. Sandman_

    Sandman_ The Phoenix flew & the Big Fish knew Full Member

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    If Usyk signs with Zuffa, he throws the alphabet belts away, claims the Zuffa belt & remains the Heavyweight Champion of the World. The other belts don't matter. He'll be fed whoever wants to collect a massive Zuffa pay cheque (potentially Fury & AJ again) & then be challenged by the most appealing Zuffa challenger (Opetaia after he unifies at Cruiser). Cruiser won't exist in the Zuffa world once Opetaia has unified. The MMA bloke is already showing that he's a few steps ahead of most boxing fans.
     
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  11. TNSNO1878

    TNSNO1878 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    It depends on how much money it takes. Usyk will demand extortionate sums of money, and given that he probably only has 1 or 2 years (max) left at the very top, it could be an expensive play for very little payoff. Unless they want to take Jai up to HW and make that matchup at some point over the next 12/18 months.
     
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  12. Sandman_

    Sandman_ The Phoenix flew & the Big Fish knew Full Member

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    I don't think money is going to be a problem for them in the short term. That Usyk only has a short shelf life from here works in their favour. Usyk is the Heavyweight champion of the world until someone beats him in the ring. If they've got Usyk & whoever fights him from here on in, they've got the Heavyweight Championship of the World. They don't need any of the other belts. It's similar to how the IBF got started.
     
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  13. Dangerwood84

    Dangerwood84 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I'm not gonna turn this into a political argument, there's always the lounge for that. Usyk has been very kind to Zelensky in terms of appraisals in public. However, if you can source any negative words in the public sphere from Usyk towards Trump, you can verify your post. I haven't heard him disparage Trump publicly.
     
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  14. Badbot

    Badbot You can just do things.

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    Until last week I was under the impression they were going to be called TKO boxing.
     
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  15. TipNom

    TipNom Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I certainly hope not.