Mike Tyson has made it clear that stepping into the UFC octagon was never on his radar, even if the promotion had reached its peak during his prime years.
The 59-year-old former world heavyweight champion is widely recognized as one of boxing’s greatest figures, famously earning the nickname “baddest man on the planet” during his dominant run in the 1980s.
Tyson on MMA and UFC Pay
Reflecting on the idea of competing in MMA, Tyson dismissed the notion outright:
“No, I don’t think that,” Tyson said. “Listen, the biggest UFC—five of the biggest UFC fighters combined couldn’t match my pay.”
Boxing has historically offered far larger purses than most MMA events, and Tyson’s career exemplified this. Even modern crossover stars like Jake Paul have highlighted the gap between UFC payouts and boxing purses, which remain far higher for elite fighters.
Tyson’s prime years came well before MMA gained mainstream popularity. He became the youngest heavyweight champion in 1986 and was the first to unify the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles simultaneously in 1987, solidifying a record-setting legacy long before UFC stars entered the global spotlight.
Beyond boxing, Tyson briefly explored professional wrestling, serving as the “special enforcer” for WrestleMania 14’s main event featuring “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels.
He retired from professional boxing in 2005 after a sixth career defeat against Kevin McBride, coinciding with the UFC’s rise thanks in part to The Ultimate Fighter reality series.
Tyson returned in 2020 for an exhibition bout with fellow boxing legend Roy Jones Jr., which ended in a draw. At the time, many expected him to retire permanently.
Recent and Upcoming Fights
Last year, Tyson faced Jake Paul in a high-profile exhibition that counted on the professional record of both men. Paul, who is 31 years younger than Tyson, won by points at AT&T Stadium in Texas.
Despite health challenges, including a serious incident earlier in the year requiring eight blood transfusions, Tyson remains active in boxing. Reflecting on his career and motivation, he said:
“I want to be the biggest fighter, the biggest purse, I want all that stuff,” Tyson said. “Mike Tyson fights, he shuts everything down.”
Tyson is set to return to the ring for an exhibition match against Floyd Mayweather early next year, demonstrating that while MMA was never an option for him, his competitive spirit and influence in boxing remain strong.
