Kamaru Usman could be heading toward one of the most unexpected crossover fights in combat sports.
Just weeks after returning to the Octagon, the former UFC welterweight champion has been linked to a potential boxing match against former world title challenger Chris Eubank Jr. If finalized, the bout would pit one of MMA’s greatest welterweights against one of boxing’s most recognizable names in a clash few saw coming.
The rumors emerge at a pivotal moment in Kamaru Usman’s career.Usman recently returned to action for the first time in more than a year when he faced Dricus du Plessis in the UFC Oklahoma City main event.
The former UFC champion fell short against du Plessis, suffering his fourth consecutive defeat. Following the fight, Usman revealed that he competed with a torn pectoral muscle, adding another layer of adversity to an already difficult night.
After initially insisting he had no plans to retire, Kamaru Usman later admitted that he is reassessing his future in combat sports as he evaluates the next chapter of his career.
Now, that next chapter could potentially unfold inside a boxing ring rather than a UFC cage.According to reports, Chris Eubank Jr. is exploring a return to action in Lagos, Nigeria, and Kamaru Usman has emerged as a potential opponent.
Eubank Jr. has not competed since suffering a unanimous decision loss to longtime rival Conor Benn in their rematch last November.
Since then, the British boxer has dealt with health concerns and has remained inactive while evaluating his future options.
Nigerian boxing promoter Dr. Ezekiel Adamu recently revealed that discussions regarding a fight between Eubank Jr. and Usman have already taken place.
“Chris coming here is a huge one, but it has to be proper global storytelling,” Adamu told Boxing King Media.
“The opponent we had for him was Kamaru Usman, and we had a conversation with Kamaru before his last fight to see how we could put it on and after his fight, he’s changed the goalposts and started saying something else.
“We’re still in negotiations and if we can get it over the line, we will get it. The story of Chris Eubank Jr and Kamaru was a perfect one, the brands were ready, the government is ready to do it, and hopefully we can get that over the line.”
On paper, the matchup would be one of the more unusual crossover bouts in recent combat sports history.
While Kamaru Usman has developed solid striking throughout his UFC career, he built his legacy on elite wrestling, relentless pressure, and world-class grappling. Those skills helped him become one of the most dominant welterweight champions in UFC history.
At the same time, Usman has openly discussed the long-term issues with his knees, which have limited how often he can rely on wrestling during fights.
A boxing match would eliminate those wrestling advantages entirely and place Usman in unfamiliar territory against a seasoned professional boxer.
For Eubank Jr., the fight would offer a unique international event with significant promotional appeal, particularly if staged in Nigeria.
At this stage, no deal has been finalized, and negotiations remain ongoing.Still, the possibility of Kamaru Usman facing Chris Eubank Jr. has already generated intrigue across both MMA and boxing circles. The matchup would combine star power, international appeal, and a compelling storyline that could attract fans from multiple combat sports audiences.
