Top Boxer to Take On UFC?

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Filed on December 15th, 2008 in Boxing, MMA ⋅ ⋅

While the eternally asinine and mythical MMA vs. boxing argument rages on in dorm rooms around the nation, another top boxer is willing to try his hand in the Octagon, only to likely be turned down by the UFC powers.

Enzo Maccarinelli, one of the world’s top cruiserweights, has said he is interested in fighting British UFC star Michael Bisping and is confident he can knock him out.

Enzo met with UFC head-asshole Dana White last week to discuss the move, but it appears as if the UFC will pass on the move, saying that Enzo lacks the well-rounded skills that you need to survive in the Octagon.

According to UFC UK president Marshall Zelaznik, there was some talk about casting Enzo on The Ultimate Fighter.

Using typically flawed logic that often comes from UFC suits BBC Sport reported the following:

However, Zelaznik said Maccarinelli did not possess the “well-rounded skills to be successful in MMA”, let alone the tools to beat seasoned mixed martial artist Bisping.

Zelaznik said: “Enzo’s boxing career speaks for itself – he is very impressive. We were all surprised to learn that Enzo also trained between boxing bouts in both kickboxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which are two of the many skills vital for any well-rounded MMA fighter.

“[But] with no wrestling experience and only keep-fit type training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Thai boxing, he would not have the skills that would allow him to succeed in MMA.

“As boxing fans, we would love to one day see Enzo competing in our great sport. But Enzo would really need to focus a lot of energy on the nuances of the MMA ground and striking game before we would ever see that image realised.

“If you understand the sport of MMA, you understand that any boxer, no matter how good, would not be able to effectively compete in the Octagon. It would be like a world-class sprinter entering the decathlon.

I don’t doubt that a boxer would struggle in MMA, but it’s not likely to be as drastic as they are making it sound. How often do you watch MMA and see a fighter that is trained in one aspect of the sport, then rounds out his skills with minimal training in the other disciplines. That is why some fighters are better on their feet, and others better on the ground. To discount the ability of a true world-class boxer is as insulting to boxing as it is to all of the great MMA fighters that also lean heavily on one discipline.

If put in the ring right now, Enzo would instantly become the best striker in the UFC. He may struggle on the ground, but his immense striking skills should not be discounted.

This is not the first we’ve heard of a boxing/UFC crossover. Welterweight boxer Kermit Cintron, who was an All-American wrestler, challenged Sean Sherk after Sherk called out Mayweather, only to have Sherk and Dana White say no thanks. Then, Anderson Silva wanted to fight Roy Jones in a boxing match, only to once again have Dana White put the kibosh on it.

Fighters fight, and I have no doubt that many MMAers would love to fight Enzo, win or lose. But White is so overprotective of his brand that he is not willing to risk what he would consider humiliation if a boxer beat a world-class mixed martial artist.

Of course, he couldn’t be happier that a professional wrestler with one dominant discipline came in and won the heavyweight title. Go figure.

Fans want to see interesting fights, not the same old retreads. Ninety-nine percent of UFC fans would prefer to see Bisping vs. Maccarinelli over Liddell vs. anyone. Trust me on that.

I don’t know if Enzo could hold his own or not, but wouldn’t it be great if we could make this happen someday? I think it will eventually, but never on Dana White’s watch. Once he is gone, then the UFC can prosper once again. Until then, I guess we should just get used to paying to watch the same guys mix it up a couple of times a year.

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