Mike Tyson gives the simple reason why he never fought in the UFC

Legendary former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is getting back in the ring for an exhibition bout against Floyd Mayweather in 2026. “I wanted to be the biggest fighter,” Tyson said, reflecting on his prime and why he never considered joining the UFC.

Crossover fights draw huge audiences

Crossover fights between boxing and mixed martial arts stars have become major pay-per-view attractions. The 2017 matchup between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather, for example, became the second-highest-selling boxing PPV of all time.

But Tyson, despite being one of boxing’s most iconic names, never entertained the idea of trying his hand in MMA. Speaking with rapper Fat Joe, the 59-year-old made it clear why.

The reason Tyson decided against UFC

“Even if you put the five biggest UFC fighters together, they couldn’t match what I got paid,” Tyson said. “I wanted to be the biggest fighter, to earn the biggest purses. I wanted all of that.”

Fighter pay has long been a sore spot for the UFC, with many athletes complaining about low earnings compared with their boxing counterparts. In fact, Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford reportedly earned more from their most recent fights than the entire UFC roster combined in 2025.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou made headlines when he left the promotion over pay issues and transitioned to boxing. Though his results in the ring have been mixed, he still pocketed far more than he ever did in the Octagon.

During Tyson’s prime in the late 1980s and 1990s, the UFC was still in its infancy. Fighters like Mark Coleman, Randy Couture, and Andrei Arlovski were pioneers, but their purses were nowhere near what Tyson was earning in boxing, where top fighters could command multimillion-dollar paydays.

UFC pay has improved, but frustrations remain

While UFC salaries have improved over the years, many fighters still voice concerns. Earnings often depend on popularity, title status, and pay-per-view points. Lower-tier fighters typically make between $10,000 and $30,000 per fight, while top stars can earn between $500,000 and $3 million. Conor McGregor remains a rare exception, earning massive sums due to his global fame and drawing power.

Tyson’s return to the ring

Tyson has developed a taste for exhibition bouts in recent years. In July, he faced YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, though the age gap, more than 20 years, was hard to ignore.

“I’m training and waiting. It’s a wonderful thing that could happen,” Tyson told People. The upcoming Mayweather fight is expected to be another spectacle, a meeting of legends from different eras who once ruled the sport.

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