MMA and Boxing Crossovers

MMA and boxing are two sports that have long shared a somewhat complicated relationship, with them often being considered rivals in some respects or complementary to one another in others. Both of these are combat sports with global, passionate fan bases; however, they operate in separate worlds with different rules, techniques, and cultures as a whole. Despite this, recent years have seen the line between these two fighting styles be blurred slightly as high-profile crossover bouts have managed to draw massive audiences and media attention.

Many see these crossovers as novelty acts, not a strategic part of the combat sports business model due to their ability to attract fans from both areas. Debates about fighting styles and athlete adaptability have continued, but despite their somewhat controversial merge, MMA and boxing crossovers have produced a whole series of impressive spectacles, as you will come to find out very soon.

How Often Are These Crossovers?

In the last decade, crossover events between MMA fighters and boxers have become increasingly frequent; however, compared to the traditional bouts in each sport, they are still considered relatively rare. That being said, their frequency and visibility has certainly grown a lot thanks to several landmark fights, some of which have defied the boxing odds.

The following ones are the most famous and notable and have helped to change the combat sports landscape.

McGregor vs Mayweather

In 2017, when Connor McGregor stepped into the ring with Floyd Mayweather, the global reach of this transcended just being your standard fight. Branded as ‘The Money Fight’ in the leadup, this marked the most high-profile crossover that had ever taken place in combat sports history at the time. Then, the UFC’s biggest star, McGregor, challenged one of boxing’s all-time greats in a sanctioned boxing match despite having zero professional boxing experience.

As many expected, considering his undefeated record stepping into the ring, Mayweather won via a TKO in the 10th round of the bout, with McGregor earning praise for his competitiveness in the early rounds. Due to the status of the two athletes in this crossover, the fight smashed pay-per-view records, generating close to $1 billion in revenue as a whole.

Even with the content itself being lopsided regarding the level of boxing skill between the two competitors, it validated the viability of MMA and boxing crossovers and laid the foundations for many similar matchups.

Francis Ngannou vs Tyson Fury

One MMA and boxing crossover that flipped the script on what many fans of combat sports thought was possible was the 2023 showdown between Francis Ngannou and Tyson Fury. This saw a former UFC Heavyweight Champion known for his devastating knockout ability go toe to toe in a boxing debut against the current Heavyweight Champion of the world.

Not only was Ngannou able to hold his own, but he also shocked the combat sports world by knocking Fury down and taking the fight to a split decision, which was decided by paper-thin margins.

Although Fury managed to claim victory on the scorecard, many felt that Ngannou ultimately deserved the win. The Cameroonian powerhouse’s performance showed that MMA fighters with the right skill set could potentially make a legitimate impact in the boxing world should they choose to make the transition.

Anderson Silva vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

Speaking of transitions, UFC legend Anderson Silva made one of the most successful ones in boxing in 2021 when he decided to face off against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, a former middleweight champion. Considered well past his prime, as he was 46 years old, he produced a highly impressive performance over eight rounds, outboxing the Mexican to win a split decision.

Not only was the bout a spectacle and a significant win, but it also reminded fans of combat sports that elite strikers from the MMA realm can thrive in the ring, especially against an opposition that may underestimate them based on the background they are transitioning from.

Tyron Woodley vs Jake Paul

Although many consider the world of influencer and celebrity boxing to be an insult to the sport in some cases, there is no doubt about the attention these bouts can draw up amongst new fans of the sport. This is evident when discussing the two fights that former UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley had against YouTuber turned-boxer Jake Paul in 2021. These bouts were among the most talked about crossover events of the year, something which had been aided thanks to the latter fighter making a name for himself by challenging MMA veterans.

The pair’s first fight ended in a split decision win for Paul, which shocked many. When it came to the rematch, however, this was far more definitive and surprising, as Paul scored a KO in the sixth round, eligible for iconic highlight reels. Many MMA purists thought the results were disappointing and detrimental to the sport, but the events drew major pay-per-view numbers. The new niche that has been birthed can combine high-profile opponents in unique crossovers, and these fights showcase the rise of influencer-based bouts.

Why Are These Crossovers Happening?

Even with many die-hard fans of either boxing or MMA sticking to the fact that these crossovers are nothing more than novelty events, there are several reasons behind why they continue to occur and become more and more popular each time. One of the most straightforward reasons is the paydays the competitors are presented with, as boxing offers tend to be more lucrative to those found in UFC, especially to those fighters no longer with a contract. Pay-per-view numbers are also significant in some cases due to the media buzz and virality of these crossovers, so they are perfect for keeping names relevant in the combat sports scene.

MMA and boxing crossovers occur for more than financial and publicity reasons, though. Some fighters are genuinely interested and passionate about proving themselves under different rule sets. For strikers coming over from MMA, this provides a new challenge in extending their notary outside of the octagon.