November 15 sees Mike Tyson return to the ring to face Jake Paul in what will undoubtedly be one of the most talked about fights of the year.
Given the stature that both men bring to the table, getting the opportunity to share the ring with either of them is a huge opportunity for other fighters.
One man that wants a piece of that action is MMA legend Vitor Belfort.
After retiring from competing in the UFC back in 2018, Belfort has made the move over to boxing where he has had several bouts since. But despite being 47 years old, he believes that big name opponents still aren’t willing to fight him.
Vitor Belfort Says That He Wants Either Paul Or Tyson But It Probably Won’t Happen
The Brazilian legend has won both of his boxing contests since hanging up the MMA gloves, beating Evander Holyfield in an exhibition and fellow former UFC fighter Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza.
In a recent interview with Inside Fighting, he claimed that though he would be open to the idea of stepping in against Paul or Tyson, it’s not likely to happen.
It makes sense on his end but Belfort doesn’t believe that either man is willing to risk fighting him because of their own legacies.
“I would love to do it but both guys didn’t want to fight me for sure but I would love to fight the winner. I just wish they can have a great fight but they don’t have the courage to bring that fight [to me]. I think that would be a great fight to put together but I think none of them wanted to risk their – how they can call – career or their legacy.
“I’m in a stage of my life where for me to step up and fight someone, has to make sense for me, for the fans. I think the fans would love to see that but at the end of the day, Jake Paul fights who he wants to fight. He’s making the decision and I mean we’ll see what will be but I mean I can promise you, I think that fight is not going to happen.”
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