The crossover debate between MMA and boxing has been raging for years, but what does it really take for fighters to step outside their comfort zone? Some, like James Toney, tried their luck in MMA, only to be dominated by Randy Couture. On the other hand, transitioning from MMA to boxing has proven far more lucrative.
Just look at Conor McGregor’s blockbuster bout with Floyd Mayweather in 2017 or Francis Ngannou’s high-profile clashes with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua after leaving the UFC. However, one boxing legend who made it clear he would never make that jump is Mike Tyson. And his reason makes perfect sense.
Mike Tyson Claims Even the Five Biggest UFC Stars Combined Could Not Match His Boxing Paydays
Tyson remains one of the most electrifying and marketable boxers in history. His explosive rise in the 1980s coincided perfectly with the boom of pay-per-view boxing, as the sport transitioned from closed-circuit telecasts to at-home PPV events, with HBO leading the charge.
That era made Tyson a global superstar and one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. Simply put, he didn’t need to look elsewhere for bigger paydays.
In a recent interview with Hard Rock Bet, Iron Mike revealed the real reason he never considered MMA: the money just wasn’t worth it. According to Tyson, the financial rewards for fighting in the UFC were far too small compared to what boxing offered during his prime.
He said, “Five of the biggest UFC fighters combined couldn’t match my pay. I want to be the biggest fighter, the biggest purse. I want all that stuff. When Mike Tyson fights, he shuts everything down.”
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While elite MMA stars like Conor McGregor boast massive net worths, estimated at around $200 million, much of that comes from his business ventures and the reported $100 million payday from his 2017 boxing match with Floyd Mayweather. In comparison, Tyson’s earnings from boxing alone were on another level entirely.
In 1987, Tyson signed an eight-fight, $27 million deal with HBO, which would be worth roughly $80 million in 2025. Just a few years later, in 1990, he landed a record-breaking $120 million long-term contract with Showtime, equivalent to about $300 million today.
At his peak, Tyson’s net worth exceeded $430 million, and that was two decades ago. By contrast, MMA fighters earn only a fraction of that, even at the highest level. Even now, Tyson continues to draw huge purses. His most recent outing against Jake Paul in December 2024 reportedly earned him around $20 million.
And the 59-year-old legend isn’t done yet. He’s set to return to the ring next spring for an exhibition match against Floyd Mayweather, marking his first appearance since the Paul fight.
Their showdown, set to stream on Netflix, is expected to generate multi-million dollar paydays for both Tyson and Mayweather, a reminder that in boxing, the biggest stars still command the biggest checks. Meanwhile, fighters continue to struggle to earn a substantial paycheck in the UFC.
