Legendary boxer Mike Tyson has reportedly received an offer to step back into the ring for another fight, this time potentially against one of mixed martial arts` all-time greats.
This news follows his highly publicized exhibition match last November against Jake Paul, a unique event that garnered over 100 million viewers on Netflix. However, the bout was notably delayed beyond Tyson`s 58th birthday due to various health concerns, and his performance during the fight raised questions.
Now, the head of Kazakhstan`s Alash Pride League is presenting Tyson with an opportunity for a comeback bout against a prominent figure from the MMA world. The proposed opponent is a heavyweight legend whom commentator Joe Rogan has described as the greatest of all time, despite him never having competed in the UFC.
Despite the concerns surrounding his recent appearance against Jake Paul, significant interest persists in seeing Mike Tyson compete again. As one of the most celebrated fighters in history, he continues to fascinate fans, even as he approaches the age of 60.
Mike Tyson Potentially Facing Fedor Emelianenko
The Kazakh promotion, Alash Pride FC, is reportedly aiming to arrange a fight between Tyson and the esteemed MMA heavyweight champion, Fedor Emelianenko. They have even identified a potential date in December for an event they hope could be headlined by this high-profile pairing.
Alash Pride President, Alimzhan Bektaev, recently confirmed these intentions to the press, stating, “We are planning a bout between Mike Tyson and Fedor Emelianenko. Work in this direction is already underway… The tournament, where we want to invite Mike Tyson, is scheduled for December.”
Fedor Emelianenko Has Previously Expressed Interest in Tyson Fight
Fedor Emelianenko himself has commented on the prospect of facing Tyson in the past. Following Tyson`s initial return to the ring for a COVID-era exhibition against Roy Jones Jr., a bout that sold 1.8 million pay-per-views, Emelianenko was among the keen viewers and subsequently discussed the idea of a potential fight.
During a 2023 appearance on The MMA Hour with host Ariel Helwani, Emelianenko was asked directly about the possibility of fighting Tyson. He responded:
We watched the fight on TV of Roy Jones Jr. vs. Mike Tyson. Mike Tyson would be an interesting fight.
He has a big name, he’s a legend… It would be interesting because you can see a lot of his videos on YouTube and all over the place, he’s still in good shape. He still works pads, he still has that same power.
