Kamaru Usman Open to Boxing KSI Under One Major Condition
Kamaru Usman reveals he would consider boxing KSI if the money is right, opening the door to a potential crossover fight.
Kamaru Usman has said that he would consider making the jump from MMA to boxing, but under one major condition: a potential fight against KSI would need to come with the right financial incentive. The comments came during the latest Pound 4 Pound discussion with Henry Cejudo, where he discussed the possibility of facing the YouTube star.
Kamaru Usman Names His Condition for KSI Fight
Usman was recently asked about the prospect of crossing over to boxing at the KSI vs. Usman exhibition, which he was supposed to headline. He shared his thoughts on the prospect during the Pound 4 Pound podcast that he co-hosts with former UFC two-division champion Henry Cejudo. To put it another way, he didn't rule out the idea completely.
Instead, the former UFC champ prioritized the financial side of the matchup.
"If the money's right, yeah," Usman said.
‼️ Kamaru Usman on whether he would box KSI 🤔💭💰
— IFN (@IfnBoxing) September 28, 2026
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The response came after Usman was considering his future in the sport following a long and successful run at the top of the UFC welterweight division. The 39-year-old has not competed in the promotion since he was knocked out by Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in October 2023, although he continued to remain active in combat sports.
A bout against KSI would also serve as a drastic move away from Usman's traditional MMA roots. YouTube star KSI has built a reputation in the combat sports world primarily through crossover boxing, with his most recent outing coming in 2023, which ended with a unanimous points decision loss against Tommy Fury.
Usman and KSI Would Bring Different Combat Sports Backgrounds
Usman is a favorite among fighters with an extensive MMA history, as he held the UFC welterweight title and successfully defended the belt five times. KSI, on the other hand, has been focusing on boxing and competing against fellow crossover fighters, including professional boxer Fury.
KSI has not boxed since his loss to Fury; however, he remains one of the most prominent names in the crossover boxing scene. That makes the prospect of fighting a former UFC champion an intriguing commercial proposition.
For Usman, however, the math is simple. He has not ruled out the possibility, but the financial package would need to justify the opportunity.
