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Mike Tyson Says UFC Was Never an Option, Citing Pay That ‘Five Biggest’ Stars Together Couldn’t Match

He frames his stance as a money decision, pointing to boxing purses that he says far exceeded what UFC athletes earned.

Overview

  • In a Hard Rock Bet interview, Tyson said even five of the UFC’s biggest names combined could not match what he was paid for a single boxing fight.
  • Coverage notes Tyson’s prime purses routinely reached $10–30 million per bout, with widely reported nine-figure earnings for the Lennox Lewis fight used to illustrate boxing’s top-end pay.
  • Reports say Tyson earned about $20 million for his 2024 bout with Jake Paul, underscoring his continued drawing power long after his peak.
  • For comparison, BetMGM data cited in reports lists Conor McGregor with $39.3 million in disclosed UFC earnings, excluding pay-per-view shares and sponsorships.
  • Reports indicate Tyson and Floyd Mayweather are planning a 2026 exhibition expected to pay well, while context pieces reference the UFC’s $375 million antitrust settlement in the ongoing fighter-compensation debate.