Boxing superstar Tyson Fury has been making headlines recently, following his claim that he may soon start a career in mixed martial arts.
Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight titlist, Stipe Miocic, has welcomed this idea and said he is willing to fight the ‘Gypsy King,’ whether in the cage or in the squared circle.
However, UFC president Dana White said it is better for the British boxer to stay in the boxing realm as he might get smashed in the Octagon.
Fury is not the first boxing heavyweight who wants to cross the bridge and lock horns with MMA stars.
In 2016, Fury’s biggest rival in boxing, Deontay Wilder, challenged the former UFC heavyweight champion, Brock Lesnar in a potential blockbuster clash.
Size Doesn’t Matter
In an interview with TMZ three years ago, ‘The Bronze Bomber’ shut down the idea of fighting Jon Jones to take on Lesnar instead.
“I’d go straight to Brock Lesnar. Why not?”
“It’s just size [290lbs vs 227lbs]. Size doesn’t mean anything — not all the time.”
“It does take a little bit of skill and a little bit of will.”
“And it takes a little bit of heart and a little bit of determination, and all that’s a recipe.”
“So I think [Lesnar] would be way too muscular. And when you’re muscular like that, you knock off your flexibility.”
The match-up did not come to light and the 6-foot-3 giant went on to start a career in professional wrestling.
He was rumuored to make a comeback last summer to fight Daniel Cormier, but White said Lesnar was firm on his decision to stay with WWE.
“He’s made his decision. I don’t know where he is in that other world.”
“I know he was looking at doing a new deal with Vince [McMahon] to stay with WWE,” the outspoken UFC chief said.
Title Defence
On Saturday, the American boxer will be defending his WBC heavyweight title in a rematch with Luis Ortiz.
Wilder drew first blood in their rivalry, beating the Cuban boxer by way of technical knockout in their New York clash last year.
Despite being the underdog in their rematch, Ortiz is confident he can avenge his previous loss to Wilder.
“I don’t like to lose. There were legitimate circumstances why I wasn’t at my best the first fight.”
“It was a fatigue stoppage. I believe if I had continued, I would have gotten the knockout. It was only fatigue, but I’ve corrected that this time around, so the better man will win.”
“We will show you on Saturday night how we’re going to win.”
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Deontay Wilder and Brock Lesnar)