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Mike Tyson I would never have been interested in fighting ufcEven if the company’s peak coincides with its peak.
Tyson, 59, is considered one of the greatest boxers in the history of the sport, with the former world heavyweight champion once declared “the baddest man on the planet”.
His legacy has become more complicated in recent years as “Iron Mike” continues to struggle, losing to jake paul In November 2024 in a match surrounded by controversy.
Tyson will return to the ring fight against floyd mayweather As early as next year, but as far as the Octagon is concerned, he’s never had any desire to compete for the world’s premier MMA organization – he says he wouldn’t be able to afford it.
“The five biggest UFC fighters combined can’t even match my salary,” Tyson said. hardrock stakes“I want to be the biggest fighter, the biggest purse, I want all that stuff. When Mike Tyson fights, he takes everything off.”
Boxing is notorious for offering far more lucrative paydays for its biggest stars than MMA, about which YouTuber-turned-bruiser Paul has been vocal in his criticism of UFC president Dana White.
Tyson’s prime never caught up with the UFC’s mainstream appeal, becoming the youngest heavyweight champion in history in 1986 and the first champion to simultaneously unify the WBC, WBA and IBF titles in 1987.
Tyson enjoyed a foray into professional wrestling, however, serving as “special enforcer” for the main event of WrestleMania 14 between “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels.
He retired from boxing in 2005 – just as the UFC was beginning to grow in popularity thanks to the reality show The Ultimate Fighter – after suffering the sixth defeat of his career against little-known Irishman Kevin McBride.
He returned to the ring in 2020 for an exhibition with fellow greats. Roy Jones Jr.The contest was a draw and Tyson was expected to walk away from the sport forever after this.
However, He agreed to compete with Paul last year In a match that set professional records for both men.
Paul, who is 31 years younger than Tyson, won by one point at AT&T Stadium in Texas.
Tyson later claimed that he “almost died” and required “eight blood transfusions” at the beginning of the year after being taken to hospital.