The MayMac bug is taking hold in a serious way.
Countless UFC stars want to move to the ring for lucrative paydays and certain boxers are only too happy to welcome them.
Following the booking of Conor McGregor’s boxing debut against 49-0 great Floyd Mayweather, the likes of Stipe Miocic, Cris Cyborg and Cub Swanson came out of the woodwork to stake their claim for a spot on the August 26 undercard.
Hey @anthonyfjoshua let's have a proper tussle and still have time for tea and crumpets before the main event! #MayweatherMcGregor
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) June 14, 2017
And while none of those boxer vs. mixed martial artist contests came to fruition, progress is seemingly being made elsewhere.
According to top UFC light heavyweight Jimi Manuwa, a boxing match with David Haye is almost certain to take place in 2018, which suggests that pugilists are somewhat open to the idea of paydays against their MMA counterparts.
👊 @POSTERBOYJM
💪 @mrdavidhaye
🤔 MMA vs. Boxing part twoEXCLUSIVE: Manuwa reveals Haye fight IS ON for next year! pic.twitter.com/7wutLoTzkx
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) July 26, 2017
And now Tony Bellew has thrown his hat in the ring for an interesting pair of match-ups with fellow Brit and current UFC middleweight champion, Michael Bisping.
Unlike McGregor vs. Mayweather, which will be decided solely between the ropes, Bellew has suggested that he would be open to one boxing match against ‘The Count’ before then testing his mettle in the Octagon against the Manchester 185lber.
“I can wrestle, I can grapple, I punch hard, I can kick and I’ve got some kickboxing experience,” Bellew told Sky Sports.
“You can forget about me getting in the cage with Jon Jones – not a chance.
“But if you’re asking if I would get in the cage with a puncher in the UFC? Mike Bisping is a guy who is predominantly known as a puncher and he’s a very strong wrestler as well.
“I think I could get down to 185[lbs]. If the money is right, then Tony Bellew would happily enter a cage or a ring. Maybe let’s do one of them each.
“I’m a Michael Bisping fan, but if the money was right then the fan stuff goes out the window.”
