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Prime Mike Tyson could have bridged boxing and the UFC world titles
by
Gareth A. Davies
Talk recently of Roy Jones Jnr and Anderson Silva meeting in an Octagon is, frankly, ludicrous, but it sets the mind spinning. There is often debate about boxers coming into MMA, yet looking back over the last twenty years, the only boxer I would have given full credence to switching sports would have been Mike Tyson.
I believe that Dana White, the UFC President, would have been unable to ignore it if Tyson had shown an interest in the sport, given the huge intrigue he would have generated with the fans. Although less of a raw, abrasive character, with a different kind of media circus around him, there are parallels with Brock Lesnar joining the UFC.Tyson, not long after being in his prime, had the physical build and capabilities, I believe, to have quickly grasped grappling skills, and could have become a formidable brawler. His hand speed would have been something else, though he most likely, like Lesnar, would have been vulnerable to submissions.
As I left the MGM Grand Las Vegas last week, the remnants of the Hatton v Pacquiao ring in the hotel lobby were being taken away, and there, already in that vast lobby of the MGM, were early posters of Lyoto Machida and Rashad Evans. It's a pick 'em contest on May 23 and I really can't make my mind up.
One day I feel Machida will pick Evans off, the next day I can't believe Rashad Evans' team will not come up with a great game plan to unseat Machida, who has not yet lost a round in his UFC career. Remarkable.
It is a major time for British mixed martial artists involved with the UFC. UFC 99 and UFC 100 are huge events for British fans, in June and July, with a clutch of Brits fighting in Cologne - a group of Dan Hardy's friends, fellow fighters and fans are all travelling over as a group by coach which should make a great video blog if it gets made - and between times, the TUF Finale will take place as a great series unfolds pitching UK versus US.
It has been good fare so far, with more 'team' attitudes than I had imagined there would be. Michael Bisping is also a decent coach, which is impressive. Then - THE BIG ONE at the Mandalay Bay Resort, when the UFC comes of age with the biggest event in its history, accompanied by an all-encompassing Las Vegas style two-day expo. Fans will be out in force.
It could also be the biggest night for British fans in the UFC, arguably since Ian Freeman defeated Frank Mir. If Bisping can defeat Dan Henderson, we are on the cusp of seeing a British challenger to a UFC title. And no British fighter has ever had a title around his waist. Given the explosion of the sport in the UK, a UFC champion would put the gloss on major developments this side of the pond.
Bisping, of course, is likely to face Anderson Silva, the middleweight champion, if he defeats Henderson, though the landscape may change after August.
Silva's next fight is at 205lbs against Forrest Griffin - at UFC 101 in August. I see this as a great match-up. I want to see Silva pressurised and punched by Griffin. Silva, sublimely gifted as he is, needs serious tests, and Griffin could be just the man.
But with Silva, who knows ?
Turning full circle, and back to the original point, if Mike Tyson had come 15 years later, would we be talking about him fighting Silva, or even Brock Lesnar, right now ?
by
Gareth A. Davies
Talk recently of Roy Jones Jnr and Anderson Silva meeting in an Octagon is, frankly, ludicrous, but it sets the mind spinning. There is often debate about boxers coming into MMA, yet looking back over the last twenty years, the only boxer I would have given full credence to switching sports would have been Mike Tyson.
I believe that Dana White, the UFC President, would have been unable to ignore it if Tyson had shown an interest in the sport, given the huge intrigue he would have generated with the fans. Although less of a raw, abrasive character, with a different kind of media circus around him, there are parallels with Brock Lesnar joining the UFC.Tyson, not long after being in his prime, had the physical build and capabilities, I believe, to have quickly grasped grappling skills, and could have become a formidable brawler. His hand speed would have been something else, though he most likely, like Lesnar, would have been vulnerable to submissions.
As I left the MGM Grand Las Vegas last week, the remnants of the Hatton v Pacquiao ring in the hotel lobby were being taken away, and there, already in that vast lobby of the MGM, were early posters of Lyoto Machida and Rashad Evans. It's a pick 'em contest on May 23 and I really can't make my mind up.
One day I feel Machida will pick Evans off, the next day I can't believe Rashad Evans' team will not come up with a great game plan to unseat Machida, who has not yet lost a round in his UFC career. Remarkable.
It is a major time for British mixed martial artists involved with the UFC. UFC 99 and UFC 100 are huge events for British fans, in June and July, with a clutch of Brits fighting in Cologne - a group of Dan Hardy's friends, fellow fighters and fans are all travelling over as a group by coach which should make a great video blog if it gets made - and between times, the TUF Finale will take place as a great series unfolds pitching UK versus US.
It has been good fare so far, with more 'team' attitudes than I had imagined there would be. Michael Bisping is also a decent coach, which is impressive. Then - THE BIG ONE at the Mandalay Bay Resort, when the UFC comes of age with the biggest event in its history, accompanied by an all-encompassing Las Vegas style two-day expo. Fans will be out in force.
It could also be the biggest night for British fans in the UFC, arguably since Ian Freeman defeated Frank Mir. If Bisping can defeat Dan Henderson, we are on the cusp of seeing a British challenger to a UFC title. And no British fighter has ever had a title around his waist. Given the explosion of the sport in the UK, a UFC champion would put the gloss on major developments this side of the pond.
Bisping, of course, is likely to face Anderson Silva, the middleweight champion, if he defeats Henderson, though the landscape may change after August.
Silva's next fight is at 205lbs against Forrest Griffin - at UFC 101 in August. I see this as a great match-up. I want to see Silva pressurised and punched by Griffin. Silva, sublimely gifted as he is, needs serious tests, and Griffin could be just the man.
But with Silva, who knows ?
Turning full circle, and back to the original point, if Mike Tyson had come 15 years later, would we be talking about him fighting Silva, or even Brock Lesnar, right now ?
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