This is an apple to oranges comparison. The boxing vs MMA debate doesn’t really make sense except for the promoters and fighters looking to cash in on a freak show, not to mention this debate has been settled since Royce Gracie submitted Art Jimmerson at UFC 1, but since pro MALE boxers seem to lack the courage that so many female boxers have had and face their MMA counterparts in a true fight we will have to settle for a what-if kind of list.
Bantamweight: Aljamain Sterling vs George (21-3) vs Kambosos Jr (20-0): Aljo is one of the best BJJ practitioners in his division, he dominated Petr Yan in the middle rounds of their fight and shut down any offence the Russian had. Kambosos beat Teofimo Lopez vis SD to capture his belt, at only 28 Kambosos might be nearing his prime which is terrifying.
Prediction: MMA: Aljo 1st round submission, Boxing: Kambosos via 3rd round TKO.
Heavyweight: Francis Nganou (17-3) vs Tyson Fury (32-0-1): This fight is the closest thing we might get to a real fight between two champions in differing sports. Tyson and Francis are kings of the HW divisions and have teased a mixed rules bout. We have heard boxers tease a mixed rules fight but never seem to live up to their word. However, Tyson is the type of fighter to say something and make it happen, we will have to wait and see how Francis recovers from injury, the two have combined for 35 KOs and this could very well end in #36.
Prediction: MMA: Francis 1st round ground and pound TKO, Boxing: Fury 3rd round KO.
Lightheavyweight: Glover Teixeira (33-7) vs Ilunga Makabu (29-2): LHW and WBC cruiserweight are on tremendous streaks Glover (6) has captured his first UFC title via RNC, he has 18 wins via KO and is known as a feared striker in MMA who can just as easily choke you unconscious. Makabu was KO in 2016 and hasn’t lost since, he has won and retained his cruiserweight title scoring 6 stoppages in 10 fights.
Prediction: MMA: Glover 1st round RNC, Boxing: Ilunga 2nd round TKO.
Middleweight: Israel Adesanya (22-1) vs Dmitry Bivol (19-0): Izzy is 75-5 as a kickboxer and 5-1 as a professional boxer. In my opinion, he is the most boxing ready champ the UFC has. You can put Izzy in just about any martial art and he will always compete with the elite. Bivol has a major fight coming up against Canelo and will look to put his belt and perfect record on the line, he has dominated everyone out in front of him and has the skills to put on a show regardless of who he faces.
Prediction: MMA: IZZY 1st round KO via Thai clinch knees/elbows, Boxing: Bivol via Unanimous Decision.
Welterweight: Kamaru Usman (20-1) vs Canelo Alvarez (57-1-2): Please for the love of God, don’t let this boxing match happen. Kamaru is one of the legends and greatest UFC champs the organization has had, he is currently the #1 P4P fighter on the planet and has looked unbeatable since taking out Woodley. He KO’d Masvidal in a highlight reel KO, but Usman is a wrestler and fighter, not a boxer. Canelo has taken over for Floyd as the most dominant of his era, he has dedicated his existence to a singular aspect of MMA and has proven why he is not only the best but one of the highest-paid boxers ever.
Prediction: MMA: Kamaru 1st round ground and pound KO, Boxing: Canelo 2nd round KO.
Lightweight: Charles Oliveira (32-8) vs Jermell Charlo (34-1-1): Charles has evolved his striking game and even won the vacant belt via strikes. But we all know the game Charles is best at. He will tear you limb from limb and toy with you as a lion plays with its meal. His opponent Charlo is a vicious striker that has 18 KO wins, he has only lost once via UD but avenged his loss with a TKO. He is still young at 31 years old and looks to be getting better with each victory.
Prediction: MMA: Charles via 30-second submission, Boxing: Charlo 4th round KO.
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