Krassyuk: “A Usyk vs. Jake Paul fight under MMA rules fits perfectly into his future”

K2 Promotions head and former promoter of Oleksandr Usyk, Oleksandr Krassyuk, believes that the three-time undisputed world champion could realistically end up facing Jake Paul — and specifically under MMA rules.

“There’s a future for Usyk that is connected to show business. Hollywood — we just had the premiere of The Smashing Machine. Dwayne Johnson in the lead role, and Usyk is in it as well. He plays Ukrainian MMA fighter Igor Vovchanchyn. That’s Hollywood. Hollywood.

Films, shootings, celebrities, YouTube, Instagram — that’s Usyk’s future. And Jake Paul, and an MMA fight with Jake Paul, fits right into that concept.”

Krassyuk continued, saying Jake Paul's entire career is built on hype and visibility:

“Jake Paul is a YouTuber, a hype-chaser. He mentions everyone who can give him momentum. Now it’s Usyk, before that Joshua. He planned that fight. He planned fights with MMA fighters. There’s always something going on with him.

They might even ban him from boxing in the U.S. soon — he’ll go to Australia or Saudi Arabia easily.”

At the same time, Krassyuk emphasized a core truth of elite boxing:

“Professional boxing is built around big money. A boxer is wired to earn. If the money is big — why refuse? If we’re not talking about a career-defining championship fight, but about a performance for huge money — why not?”

Krassyuk also pointed out the enormous media power Jake Paul carries:

“How many followers does Jake Paul have on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok? Millions. The whole world knows him. My son is 11 — he knows who Jake Paul is. And he knows who Usyk is because his father is Usyk’s promoter. He knows about the Klitschkos because I told him. But Jake Paul — that’s who these kids worship. That’s the new generation.”

For that reason, Krassyuk believes the collaboration could benefit Usyk more than anyone:

“If Usyk collaborates with Jake Paul, he will capture a huge part of that audience. I’d even say this fight is more beneficial for Usyk than for Jake Paul.

And as for Jake Paul — I wouldn’t advise it for him at all.”