Oleksandr Usyk's final fight timeline and potential opponents include UFC icon Jon Jones and Deontay Wilder

Oleksandr Usyk has been the focal point of considerable debates and discussions in the combat sports community as of late.

The 39-year-old boxing great sent shockwaves across the fight game's landscape last Friday when he vacated his boxing heavyweight championships.

Usyk took to social media to announce that he's officially vacating the WBA (Super), WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles that he held. That makes three of boxing's 'big four' world titles at heavyweight, with the fourth being the WBO heavyweight belt that's belonged to Daniel Dubois since May. 

Presently, Murat Gassiev possesses the WBA heavyweight belt, Agit Kabayel has been promoted to be the WBC heavyweight champion, and the IBF heavyweight belt is vacant. Meanwhile, Usyk has chosen to retain The Ring heavyweight title. 

Additionally, Usyk suggested that his next fight would mark the end of his professional boxing career, deeming it his "last dance." The consensus is that he'd like to close out his career by competing in the United States of America. 

Fast-forward to this week, Usyk's advisor Serhii Lapin has reportedly put forth a significant update about which fighter his client could fight in his farewell appearance inside the squared circle and when the matchup would likely transpire. 

Oleksandr Usyk could clash against ex-UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones or ex-WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder; possible timeline revealed

As reported by Mike Coppinger of The Ring Magazine, Serhii Lapin -- who's Oleksandr Usyk's advisor -- recently spoke to The Ring Magazine about the legendary Usyk's imminent final fight. 

Per Coppinger, Lapin revealed that Usyk is aiming to fight former WBC heavyweight titleholder Deontay Wilder or former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight titlist Jon Jones.

"The Cat" would reportedly like the fight to be held in the U.S.A. in late 2026 or early 2027. Moreover, it was noted that Usyk would ideally like to take on "The Bronze Bomber", Wilder.

Intriguingly, Usyk was said to have been in negotiations for a boxing match against Wilder last winter, but that matchup didn't come to fruition. 

Wilder, instead, faced Derek Chisora and beat him via split decision this April. Also, Usyk -- in his most recent fight -- took on kickboxing icon Rico Verhoeven in a boxing match in May and rallied to secure a controversial 11th-round TKO victory against the Dutch striking maestro. 

 

Oleksandr Usyk is eyeing a fight against Deontay Wilder or former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones in late 2026/early ‘27 in the USA, Usyk’s advisor Serhii Lapin tells @ringmagazine. Wilder is his preferred option. Usyk has accomplished everything except … a major USA fight. pic.twitter.com/fMAcrxQOec

— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) June 29, 2026

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Deontay Wilder or Oleksandr Usyk vs. Jon Jones -- boxing and MMA touted as possible options

Oleksandr Usyk boasts more than a few extraordinary accolades in the sport of professional boxing, having been the undisputed cruiserweight champion as well as the undisputed heavyweight champion. 

There's long been speculation as to how well he'd fare in a potential crossover in a sport like kickboxing or MMA. Incidentally, it's well-known that the Ukrainian pugilist also trains in martial arts other than boxing -- such as wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Sambo, and kickboxing -- to boost his combat prowess in boxing. 

Considering the variables at play, a number of fans and experts have been speculating that Usyk could possibly try his hand at MMA. His apparent interest in fighting mixed martial arts icon Jon "Bones" Jones has further fueled this hypothesis. 

Furthermore, although it hasn't been officially announced whether his next fight would be in boxing or MMA, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn recently hinted that Usyk's swansong could see him box for a Zuffa Boxing belt, with Zuffa Boxing being affiliated with the UFC and its CEO-cum-president Dana White. 

The consensus is that a possible Usyk vs. Wilder fight would surely be a boxing match, whereas Usyk vs. Jones could be contested in either boxing or MMA. "Bones," often deemed the MMA G.O.A.T., has himself expressed interest in boxing.

Jones had retired from MMA last year but later reentered the UFC drug testing pool and is under contract with the UFC, which means he'd require their permission to box against Usyk. The belief is that a fight against Jones would be more likely if Usyk were to compete under the Zuffa Boxing banner.