Five opponents for Tyson Fury if boxing champ switches to MMA including Francis Ngannou grudge match and Stipe Miocic
JOHN FURY has tipped son Tyson to make a switch to MMA once he quits boxing – opening the door to some mouthwatering match-ups.
Fury has teased on several occasions about debuting in MMA but more recently said he would only fight in a cage if there was no takedowns or grappling.
Nonetheless, his dad told Joe: “He’s quick and he’s light on his feet, but his balance is good and I do believe if a top MMA trainer took him on, he could do big things with him.”
With that said, here SunSport looks at five potential opponents if the WBC champion, 33, was to cross over to the cage.
Francis Ngannou
Ngannou, 35, is most likely to fight Fury in the boxing ring after confirming his interest in switching sports.
He first dreamed of becoming a boxer aged 22 before he moved to France but took up MMA as it was easier to find fights.
But even as UFC champion, Ngannou is talking up a move to boxing having also called out Anthony Joshua, 32, and Dillian Whyte, 33.
UFC president Dana White might have something to say about, that citing contractual obligations, meaning Fury may be welcomed to the UFC instead.
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Stipe Miocic
Former UFC champ Miocic, 39, was an accomplished amateur boxer which has helped shape his style in MMA.
Again, he has spoken about one day testing himself in the ring with Fury mentioned as a challenge.
If Fury was to jump in the deep end in the UFC, Miocic next to Ngannou would be his biggest test.
He once said in April 2020: “Stipe says he wants to box me — that would be a good fight for sure.”
Junior dos Santos
The Brazilian has now been released by the UFC and wants to close out his career with big crossover bouts.
Dos Santos, 37,was known for his boxing skills and called for a two-fight deal with Fury, one in the ring and the other in a cage.
He said in 2019: “It would be perfect to fight Tyson Fury in MMA, as he wishes, and then, with a win over him, fight him in boxing, in his world.
“He would come to my world and then I would go to his world. It would be the pinnacle, a great moment for both sports.”
Ryan Bader
Bellator have proved open to mixing MMA and boxing, unlike competitors like UFC.
Bader, 38, is their current champ, a big name in the promotion and recently talked up a fight Fury.
He told FightHype last year: “You train with him to fight, or whatever, boxing, MMA, I’m always down.”
Bader also confirmed he would be open to doing it in the ring, saying: “Hell yeah, let’s go. Get the boxing money.”
Greg Hardy
Hardy, 33, has had 12 MMA fights since leaving the NFL amid allegations of domestic abuse.
He has a current record of 7–4 with one no-contest but his UFC future is in question after consecutive losses.
Hardy has proven to have KO power but lacks quality on the ground or in wrestling clinches.
It means he could match up evenly with Fury if he chose to stand and strike, like has been the case in his previous fights.
