UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira wants to become the next UFC champion to try his hand in the boxing ring.

The Brazilian, who defends his 205-pound crown against top contender Magomed Ankalaev next month, has established himself as one of the foremost strikers in two separate combat sports — and believes that he can transition his skillset to a third against the finest heavyweight boxer of his generation, Oleksandr Usyk.

“I’ve said that before, that I would really like to do a boxing match,” Pereira said via translation to Mark Bouris, as noted by MMA Fighting.

“And was asked against who. Since I’m the champion, I said it would have to be against a champion, and he’s the champion. And now he’s given an interview and mentioned my name.”

Pereira’s comments follow days after Usyk told British television that he would be open to what he called a “show fight” with ‘Poatan.’

“That’s something I want, and he also wants it, and both organisations, boxing and the UFC, are working kind of together now, so I believe this fight can happen,” Pereira added.

Usyk confirmed his status as the heavyweight boxing’s pacesetter with a second victory over Tyson Fury late last year. Pereira, meanwhile, last competed in October where he scored a fourth-round TKO win over Khalil Rountree in defence of his light heavyweight championship.