Haye in the UFC after Boxing

thedon2006 · Joined: 01 Dec 2006 Posts: 2019

WAYNE McCULLOUGH believes David Haye can make an impact in mixed martial arts when he hangs up his boxing gloves.

Haye, 27, intends to clean up the heavyweight division before retiring after he turns 30.

But McCullough is confident the Hayemaker will fight on — in the Ultimate Fighting Championship's Octagon.

The ex-WBC bantamweight champ said: "Haye can already punch and he has natural strength, so he'd fit nicely into the MMA heavyweight division."

Haye has previously expressed an interest in entering the world of MMA.

And McCullough cannot wait to see the Londoner go toe-to-toe with the likes of UFC stars Chuck Liddell and Anderson Silva.

He added: "It's good to see another world champion boxer, like myself, appreciate the sport of MMA.

"He's not a fool like a lot of boxers who think they can just step into the Octagon and win fights purely with punches.

"Who knows, maybe he'll become a UFC champion in time."

Haye, who bowed out of the cruiserweight division as the undisputed world champion, is currently chasing a showdown with WBO, IBO and IBF heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko.

But with just three years left before he calls time on his boxing career, Haye fancies making the switch to MMA.

He said: "It's just another challenge. I like to set myself goals and tasks and fighting for the UFC heavyweight championship would be a real big thing for me.

"I'd do whatever was required to get that win.

"I'm a fighter, through and through — any kind of competition.

"I'd be a big underdog and I'd actually like that. I like people writing me off."

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/boxing/article1163018.ece

Hodgson666 · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 2386 Location: Telford, England

I think he should stick to boxing. MMA is a whole different world, and I can't see Haye being that good at it. He'd definitely need to sort out his defence for a start.

Hooch · Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 595 Location: Cardiff, Wales

Hmmmmmm, cant imagine Haye rolling around on the floor while some tatooed wrestler tries to pull his arm off somehow, at least not more than once.

When will boxers learn to not dabble in this kind of thing, I understand most of the boxers that try (MMA, k1) are past it and looking for a pay day but MMA is totally different and even a top young athlete like Haye will just get chewed up and look silly.

Jonnyherb · Posted: May 14 2008, 22:18 PM Post subject:

Who here likes MMA etc, who is indifferent and who thinks it is shite? I personally cannot stand it, and I hate it when boxing is associated with it. I feel it tarnishes 'the Sweet Science' by its proximity.

Lol999 · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Posts: 90 Location: Derbyshire

Tbh I don't like MMA when they get to ground and are basically rogering each other. I much prefer K1. Potential for more action, less homo-erotic grappling.

counterpuncher · Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 8993 Location: Birmingham

haye's too image-conscious for mma, jesus can you imagine the broken nails etc. i think the whole speedo aesthetic wouldwork for him and he'd be able to show off his 6-pack but it strikes me as utter bollocks, this story.

nick_viking · Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 3056 Location: Oxford

counterpuncher wrote: haye's too image-conscious for mma, jesus can you imagine the broken nails etc. i think the whole speedo aesthetic wouldwork for him and he'd be able to show off his 6-pack but it strikes me as utter bollocks, this story.

haha, my thoughts exactly. :lol:

Meathead · Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 2912 Location: United Kingdom

MMA fights can go one of two ways. Sometimes its unbelievably skillful and fun to watch and other times it utter dreadful bollocks. In that respect its very similar to Boxing but thats were the similarities end.

Boxing has a lot to learn from MMA. The promotions are usually top draw and the fights are fights people want to see.

As for this story. Well CP summed it up perfectly. Its bollocks and Haye is WAY to image conscience to want to roll around on the floor whilst a fat bloke lays on him. You'd get him doing that once at the most and then he would give it up.