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David Haye Set To Fight UFC Star

David Haye Set To Fight UFC Star

McGregor vs Mayweather 2.0?

James Dawson

James Dawson

Just as the hype from the McGregor vs Mayweather fight has died down, another boxer has decided to take on the challenge of a UFC opponent.

UFC fighter Jimi Manuwa has confirmed that he and David Haye will step in the ring next year.

Haye is currently recovering from a ruptured Achilles sustained during his defeat to Tony Bellew earlier this year, however he talked to Manuwa at BAMMA 31 - with the two agreeing to a fight.

Credit: PA Images

The UFC light heavyweight No.5 rank confirmed the showdown would take place in early 2018, however only after Haye was able to have a rematch with Bellew.

Manuwa told MMAuno: "The fight is on.

"I want it, he wants it. He says he has to fight a couple more fights before we are going to do it.

"It'll be the beginning of of next year, by the end of the middle of next year."

Credit: PA Images

It also emerged that the Haye vs Bellew fight could happen some time in December this year, after Haye was caught on tape at the BAMMA 31 event.

Haye was heard on video mentioning Tony Bellew's name and the month of December, sparking rumours The Haymaker has agreed to a rematch with the Liverpudlian fighter.

He also shared a picture online of himself with Hollywood actor Tom Hardy who was also at London's SSE Arena.

Haye isn't the only boxer to be challenged by an UFC opponent in the wake of Conor McGregor's tenth round knockout at the hands of Floyd Mayweather. Anthony Joshua has found himself targeted by mixed martial artists who fancy a crack at his belts.

Joshua had joked previously that he might take to the undercard of the Mayweather-McGregor bout after UFC champ Stipe Miocic had challenged him.

Now though, his tone has hardened. "I'll still smash up those UFC fighters if I wanted. You can't talk to me like that. I'll give them a slap," he told the Daily Star.

"I'm a fighter, you don't just call people out recklessly," said the London 2012 gold medallist. "I'm not a UFC fighter - I can't put you in a submission - but I know how to throw my legs, I know how to use my elbows and I know how to punch people. "That's my only disadvantage, the submissions, but I'll throw it down, for sure."

So it looks like we could be seeing a few more boxing against UFC fights going forward.


Featured Image Credit: PA Images

Topics: Boxing, Tony Bellew, UFC