As the sport of mixed martial arts grows, it is increasingly becoming a rival to boxing. This cross-sport competitiveness is felt as much by the fighters as it is by the boxing traditionalists and MMA enthusiasts. There is nothing more exciting than watching these two art forms collide, but what are the biggest boxing vs MMA fights to date?
Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou
The latest clash between sports will see WBC champion and undefeated maverick Tyson Fury take on former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. The two behemoths are set to lock horns in the boxing ring on Saturday 28th October in Saudi Arabia, with the Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou odds pricing the ‘Gypsy King’ as a huge 1/12 favorite and the MMA star a 7/1 underdog.
I have been underestimated and doubted before. We’ll see #FuryNgannou #CountingChickens @riyadhseason #BattleOfTheBaddest pic.twitter.com/G44GazIGZn
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) September 29, 2023
It might be the most one-sided odds for a boxing vs MMA showdown, with Fury expected to annihilate the Cameroon-born Ngannou inside 10 rounds. Despite capturing the imagination of both sets of fans, it will struggle to top the list of the biggest bouts…
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs Conor McGregor
Not only was Mayweather vs McGregor the most high-profile boxing vs MMA fight ever, but it’s among the most famous boxing events period. With 4.3 million pay-per-view buys, only Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao (4.6 million) sold more.
The fight played out as expected, but that did not take away from the incredible spectacle. Those lucky enough to be in the T-Mobile Arena that night witnessed two hall-of-famers in their respective sports providing a glimpse into what the future could hold. ‘Money’ Mayweather defended the early McGregor onslaught and came on strong in the latter rounds to win by TKO, giving boxing fans the highly sought-after bragging rights.
Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz
Paul has made himself somewhat of a star in the boxing vs MMA world. His bout against UFC veteran Nate Diaz was his fifth time stepping in the ring with an ex-UFC fighter, previously having beaten Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, and Anderson Silva.
This fight was touted as being Paul’s toughest yet, with Diaz a bona fide brawler that is no stranger to taking punches. However, as has been the case more often than not when MMA athletes have stepped in the ring with boxers, Diaz began to fade in the latter rounds. Paul sent Diaz to the canvas in the fifth round, with Diaz looking increasingly susceptible to the power shot. Paul won a decisive unanimous decision, once again putting to bed the argument over who would win in a boxing fight between mixed martial artists and dedicated boxers.
I told y’all I was going to walk the dog. pic.twitter.com/zgVfRT6U4a
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) August 6, 2023
Julio César Chávez Jr. vs Anderson Silva
Arguably MMA’s most successful venture into the boxing world, former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva took on boxing legend Julio César Chávez Jr in an exhibition bout at Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Both were undoubtedly a long way past their primes in this fight but it was an entertaining bout nonetheless. Anderson Silva came out on top in a split decision victory in his third boxing outing, stunning the home crowd. Although Chávez was just days away from his 59th birthday, he entered the fight as a heavy favorite due to his immense boxing pedigree.
How much longer will MMA fans have to wait for another victory in the boxing ring? That remains to be seen.
