This year, the world of boxing has gifted us with captivating fights such as Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk, which put an end to the Gypsy King’s 16-year unbeaten run, and Ryan Garcia’s victory over Devin Haney, where Garcia floored Haney three times to achieve a majority decision win, further marking his status as a rising star in the boxing world. In March, we also saw Anthony Joshua knock Francis Ngannou out cold in brutal fashion in just the second round.
Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson believes that boxing has been more exciting this year compared to MMA. In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Johnson expressed that boxing has had the edge over MMA, claiming it is the more thrilling sport right now. He highlighted the numerous high-stakes and dramatic matches that have occurred in boxing, capturing the attention and excitement of fans worldwide.
“Right now I feel like boxing is more exciting than mixed martial arts,” Johnson said. “There are points in time where MMA is having its peaks. But right now, you just had Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia just popped. Then you had Francis Ngannou who got knocked out by Anthony Joshua. Then you just had the beautiful Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk fight. He just beat him and became the heavyweight champion. That fight was absolutely amazing. From round one to round twelve, I was on the edge of my seat.”
Despite the excitement in boxing, MMA fans are eagerly awaiting upcoming bouts like Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier, set to take place this weekend at UFC 302, and Conor McGregor’s comeback against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June. These high-profile matches have the potential to reignite the fervor in the MMA community and provide the thrilling moments fans crave.
While Johnson acknowledges the monumental event of UFC 300 and other significant fights, he feels that MMA has been comparatively quieter this year. “Right now, we’re sitting here waiting in the MMA world. We’ve got a few things going on over in ONE Championship…But right now, I think the story we’re waiting for is Islam [Makhachev] vs. Dustin Poirier,” Johnson noted.
However, the excitement in MMA is far from over. The upcoming fights at UFC 302 and UFC 303 promise to be huge spectacles. UFC 302 will see Makhachev, who already holds the UFC lightweight title, face off against Poirier, while McGregor’s much-anticipated return at UFC 303 is expected to draw significant attention. Following these, UFC 304 in Manchester, England, will keep the momentum going for MMA fans.
In the boxing world, the excitement continues with Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul coming up, and the recently announced Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 set to take place in December. These matches promise to maintain the thrilling narrative that has characterized boxing this year.
So, although 2024 has so far been more exciting in the boxing world, according to Demetrious Johnson, there is still plenty to look forward to for MMA fans. With major UFC events on the horizon and significant boxing matches scheduled, sports enthusiasts are in for an exhilarating year, filled with unforgettable moments and intense competition.
