“Would totally tap out!” Mike Tyson gives hilarious reasons for not being an MMA fighter

Mike Tyson answers the question on why he didn't fight in the octagon.

“Would totally tap out!” Mike Tyson gives hilarious reasons for not being an MMA fighter

Mike Tyson (image credit- The Sun)

Mike Tyson was asked to fight in an MMA bout more than once. MMA Pioneers Royce Gracie and Rickson Gracie called out Tyson during the 1990s. At the time, the UFC was in its infancy and was far from the commercial juggernaut it later became.

The second time Tyson was challenged to an MMA bout was when Bob Sapp called him out. However, Mike Tyson never indulged in an actual MMA fight. Furthermore, in an interview with GQ Sport, Tyson hilariously cleared this out by stating: 

I have the worst feet in the world, and if somebody stepped on my feet, I would totally tap out and just give up.
Mike Tyson via GQ Sports
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During the interview, Tyson answered several popular questions on the internet about him. While answering the question about how Tyson would have performed as an MMA fighter, he seemed to have other concerns. Tyson stated that he has watched the UFC and seen people step on their opponents’ feet.

Tyson mentioned that he had the worst feet in the world and would automatically give up if that happened. Hence, the legendary boxer believed he wouldn’t have been a good MMA fighter because of this.

Mike Tyson’s potential as an MMA fighter

Tyson is a Queensberry Rules master but doesn’t train in any other form of martial arts. Furthermore, during his prime, the boxer was the king of the ring, and boxing was the only sport that guaranteed big bucks. But if the UFC had become as popular as today, Tyson could have fought in the octagon.

Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson (image credit- Marca)

Tyson’s strength and conditioning routine would have perfectly fit him as an MMA fighter. Subsequently, Tyson would indulge in repetitive and endurance training, which kept him in peak physical condition. In addition, Tyson’s infamous 20-inch neck would have been a great asset inside the octagon and would have helped him.

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Tyson’s fighting style as an MMA fighter is a topic of speculation. He could have used his huge frame for grappling. Regardless, Tyson would still have his devastating punching power and would have been an early version of Francis Ngannou.

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