Mike Tyson\u2019s boxing exploits remain legendary in the world of combat sports.<\/p>\n
But is there an alternate universe where his success came inside the UFC octagon?<\/p>\n
During a recent interview with Hard Rock Bet, Tyson was asked an intriguing hypothetical: Had he been in his prime in the current fighting landscape, would a prime \u201cIron Mike\u201d have considered competing in MMA instead of boxing? We\u2019ll never know and it doesn\u2019t sound like the 59-year-old Tyson is all that curious about what might have happened.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I don\u2019t think that,\u201d Tyson said. \u201cListen, the biggest UFC\u2014five of the biggest UFC fighters combined couldn\u2019t match my pay.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the \u201880s and \u201890s, when Tyson was racking up knockout after knockout and stringing together a number of memorable heavyweight title defenses, there was arguably no bigger star in combat sports. Tyson\u2019s fame translated into major dollar signs as he made $10-30 million per fight and it is widely reported he made over $100 million for a blockbuster matchup with Lennox Lewis in 2002. He was worth a fortune and that\u2019s before taking into account the numerous high-profile endorsement and licensing deals attached to his name.<\/p>\n
Outside of maybe Conor McGregor, it\u2019s unlikely any UFC fighter has ever cashed checks as big as Tyson\u2019s on a consistent basis, and the current crop of UFC stars are undoubtedly making less in purse money than boxing stars like Canelo Alvarez and Tyson Fury.<\/p>\n
So knowing his value, Tyson believes negotiating with the UFC would never have happened.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to be the biggest fighter, the biggest purse, I want all that stuff,\u201d Tyson said. \u201cMike Tyson fights, he shuts everything down.\u201d<\/p>\n
Consequences. Raja Jackson facing up to seven years in prison<\/a> if convicted in brutal attack of pro wrestler.<\/p>\n Worrying. Frankie Edgar didn\u2019t fight at BKFC (thank goodness) but at least he got paid?<\/a><\/p>\n Weight. Yana Santos claims she didn\u2019t really have a choice to fight or not<\/a> at UFC 320, despite opponent Macy Chiasson missing weight.<\/p>\n Home. Alex Pereira took a trip to the old tire shop<\/a> and dedicated to his buddy Magomed Ankalaev.<\/p>\n Destiny. Karate Combat\u2019s newest marquee signing?<\/a> Former UFC middleweight contender Uriah Hall.<\/p>\n Rest. Justin Tafa is stepping away from competition following his UFC release<\/a>.<\/p>\n A special Q&A episode of Between the Links with The Best Friends Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee.<\/p>\n MMA Fighting\u2019s Guilherme Cruz sits down with former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo.<\/p>\n MMA Fighting\u2019s Damon Martin talks to David Feldman following BKFC 82.<\/p>\n SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE<\/p>\n Friends don\u2019t stab friends.<\/p>\n Muhammad Mokaev (15-0, 1 NC) vs. Gerard Burns (7-1); Brave CF 100, Nov. 7<\/p>\n Malcolm Wellmaker (10-0) vs. Serhey Sidey (12-2); UFC 322, Nov. 15<\/p>\n Mike Tyson dealt with Don King, so it\u2019s not as if he didn\u2019t end up having experience with shady promoters, but for some reason the thought of a young Tyson butting heads with Dana White over scraps of pay-per-view profits makes me chuckle.<\/p>\n If you find something you\u2019d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee<\/a> or @JedKMeshew<\/a> on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, and like us on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n