Former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson is reportedly in talks with an MMA legend about a boxing match in Saudi Arabia later this year.
Tyson, who retired from boxing in 2005, returned to the ring in 2020 for an exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr. that ended in a split draw.
Now, it seems he is considering another comeback, this time against a fighter known for his success in the Octagon.
Russian star Fedor Emelianenko is being considered as a potential opponent for Tyson. Negotiations are already underway for the fight to take place in the Middle East in 2024, according to the MMA Pack.
Emelianenko is an iconic name in MMA, having faced some of the sport’s biggest stars, including Chael Sonnen, Frank Mir, and Fabricio Werdum, over his 23-year career.
Mike Tyson is reportedly in talks to fight an MMA legend in Saudi Arabia later this year. Tyson, a former heavyweight world champion, has been retired for nearly two decades but has maintained his fitness and training regimen.
Emelianenko, now 47, stepped away from MMA last year after losing to Ryan Bader at Bellator 290. Tyson, who is 57, has not had a competitive bout in almost 20 years but has regularly posted training videos on social media, showing he remains in good condition.
Tyson returned to the spotlight last year when he worked in Francis Ngannou’s corner for his crossover clash with Tyson Fury. Ngannou sent Fury to the canvas in the third round and was widely praised for his performance, although Fury won by a narrow points decision.
Helping Ngannou may have reignited Tyson’s desire to fight again. Emelianenko previously expressed interest in a boxing match with Tyson. Speaking to Ariel Helwani, he said, “MMA is done, 100 percent. I’m not going back to MMA. I want to try myself in boxing. I think that’s going to be interesting. Mike Tyson would be an interesting fight.”
If the negotiations succeed, both fighters could be set for significant paydays if Saudi Arabia agrees to host the event.