There can only be one true baddest man on the planet, the way ex-UFC heavyweight champ Junior Dos Santos sees it. Why not find out who?
“I’m going to be the champion of the UFC, so I would like to fight to see,” Dos Santos (18-4 MMA, 12-3 UFC) told MMAjunkie.
The former champ and his upcoming opponent, current titleholder Stipe Miocic (16-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC), are facing off to see who’s the best mixed martial artist in the octagon when they headline theUFC 211 pay-per-view on May 13 at American Airlines Center in Dallas.
But both would welcome a crossover to boxing, a popular topic in the days of the saga between UFC lightweight champ Conor McGregor and retired boxing kingpin Floyd Mayweather.
“There’s only one baddest man in the planet, so I would like to fight Anthony Joshua, or maybe even Tyson Fury,” Dos Santos said. “I would like to fight for the title. Title against title. That’s it.”
“He’s right,” said Miocic, who’s attempting his second UFC title defense. “I’m the champ, so I’d probably want to fight the champ, whether it’s (Deontay) Wilder, or Joshua, or Fury, or (Wladimir) Klitschko. I just want to fight the best.”
The millions involved in a potential fight are no doubt a motivating factor. If McGregor vs. Mayweather is made and performs to its potential, the bout could make between $200 and $300 million before profits are split up.
Of course, McGregor is getting support from UFC President Dana White because he is the promotion’s No. 1 draw, and there’s little evidence that crossover fights will become a serious trend.
Still, at least one UFC fighter has already jumped on the train. Light heavyweight standout Jimi Manuwa said White likes a fight with former heavyweight boxing champ David Haye, with talk of placing it on the prelims of a McGregor vs. Mayweather card.
Before he won an armful of titles, boxing champ Fury has called out UFC fighters, including former heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez. White has welcomed him to the octagon and promised he would get “smashed.” Fury once accused McGregor of aping his style.
Miocic and Dos Santos are under contract with the UFC, which limits their options when it comes to stepping up to challenges. But if they were playing fantasy matchmaker, they might shoot for boxing gold to accompany UFC gold.
For more on UFC 211, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
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