Boxing icon Mike Tyson has firmly stated he has no intentions of venturing into mixed martial arts (MMA), despite his friendship with UFC President Dana White and frequent attendance at UFC events. `Iron Mike` attributes his disinterest not to a fear of combat, even acknowledging the hypothetical challenges against elite grapplers in his prime, but purely to financial reasons.
Why Mike Tyson would never fight in the UFC
Tyson boldly claims that his earnings from a single boxing match surpass the combined income of the top five UFC fighters. He points out that while UFC stars like Conor McGregor have amassed significant wealth, much of it comes from boxing crossovers or business ventures outside the Octagon. He also acknowledges other wealthy UFC figures like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Ronda Rousey, Jon Jones, and Georges St-Pierre, yet insists his individual purses dwarfed their collective fight earnings.
“No,” Tyson asserted when asked about an MMA move. “Five of the biggest UFC fighters combined couldn’t match my pay. I want to be the biggest fighter, the biggest purse. I want all that stuff. When Mike Tyson fights, he shuts everything down.”
Mike Tyson`s Next Fights and Earnings
Tyson recently ended his two-decade retirement to face Jake Paul in November 2024, reportedly earning a substantial $20 million, which he used to purchase a $13 million mansion in Florida. He is also slated for another lucrative exhibition bout against Floyd Mayweather in 2026, with details on the exact time and location yet to be confirmed.
