A recent social media post sparked a heated debate among combat sports fans, claiming former UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier would defeat boxing legend Mike Tyson in a hypothetical street fight. The post included an alleged quote from Cormier, suggesting he would prevail over Tyson in such a scenario. This bold claim quickly ignited discussions, with fans and even notable figures like grappling phenom Gordon Ryan weighing in.
UFC lightweight fighter Chase Hooper also entered the fray, sharing his perspective on the matchup. Hooper reposted a statement from user @DovySimuMMA, who asserted that Cormier would defeat “99.9% of the world’s population in a street fight.”
Agreeing with the sentiment, Hooper added his thoughts, stating, “The people that think that Mike would beat DC in a street fight are the same ones who thought he’d outbox Jake Paul at 58 years old. Now DC might lose an ear, but one takedown and it’s over.” Hooper’s comment highlighted the significant advantage Cormier’s wrestling and grappling skills would provide in a no-rules scenario.
While acknowledging Tyson’s legendary striking ability, Hooper emphasized that Cormier’s grappling expertise would likely end the hypothetical fight quickly. He also took a playful jab at Tyson supporters, suggesting they may be overly nostalgic about the boxer’s dominance in his prime. However, Hooper also conceded that Tyson could have been a force in mixed martial arts under different circumstances.
Revisiting the Cormier-Tyson street fight debate
Reflecting on Tyson’s career, Hooper noted that financial considerations likely kept the former heavyweight boxing champion from exploring MMA during its early days. “He’d be the undisputed GOAT if he hopped into UFC in the 90s or 2000s,” Hooper wrote, adding, “But the money wasn’t there at the time to be nearly convincing enough.” In the 1990s, UFC was still gaining traction, while Tyson was a global superstar selling out arenas alongside figures like Don King and Donald Trump.
Hooper further argued that Tyson’s striking prowess would have been unmatched in the UFC during its formative years. However, he acknowledged that today’s fighters are far more well-rounded, excelling in areas like grappling and wrestling. “Current divisions have a lot more well-rounded fighters that I think would give him trouble in the other 2/3rds of the sport that isn’t striking,” Hooper explained. While Tyson’s power remains legendary, MMA’s evolution presents challenges beyond pure striking ability.
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