Tyson Fury has revealed that he would like to fight former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Jon Jones in a mixed martial arts contest, while also explaining the career path he’ll pursue following his retirement from boxing.
Fury, 37, will return to the ring on 11 April when he faces Russian heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the bout set to be broadcast on Netflix.
The Morecambe-based heavyweight has not fought since sustaining a second straight loss to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024.
In the weeks after the fight, he announced his retirement from the sport, but 15 months on, he will return to the ring.
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But why Makhmudov?
Speaking exclusively to SPORTbible, the self-proclaimed Gypsy King simply explained that “it takes someone of that calibre” to get him “turned on for a fight”, with Makhmudov winning 19 of his 23 professional contests by knockout.
His two losses came at the hands of Guido Vianello and Agit Kabayel, but he has since bounced back with back-to-back wins against Ricardo Brown and Britain’s David Allen.
Of course, if Fury defeats Makhmudov, the inevitable clamour for an all-British clash against Anthony Joshua will resurface, with the Watford-born heavyweight expected to return this summer, according to Matchroom Boxing CEO Frank Smith.
When the prospect of facing AJ was put to Fury, he explained how he’d be keen for the fight, saying: “If the fight can be made, let’s get it on like Donkey Kong.”
The heavyweight was then asked if he’d spoken to AJ personally, before adding: “I’ve had no contact with him at all.”
Fury then turned his attention to life after boxing, admitting that he worries about what he’ll do once he finally retires for good.
“My true love's always been boxing, and it's always been my passion,” he explained.
“So until it's not any more… then I can go into full-time TV doing Netflix and s***.”
When asked what keeps him motivated, he explained: “I’m in a position where I don’t need to box. I don’t need to do anything. I could drink beer all day if I wanted to. But I’m not interested. I like boxing. I’ve always liked boxing.
“I’ll probably continue to do it well into my late 40s. It’s just something that I’ve been in love with. I’ve tried to get away from it so many times, and I’ve been unsuccessful. It’s an addiction. Boxing’s an addiction.”
But what will Fury do once he retires for good?
The 37-year-old explained how he’d like to help his nephews and his own children chase their ambitions, including becoming boxers.
But before then, Fury may have a go at mixed martial arts — but what would it take for him to step into the Octagon?
“I’ve tried to do it about ten times," he claimed.
"But for one reason or another it hasn’t happened. [It would take] the right amount of money. But it always takes cold, hard cash, baby.”
Fury then elaborated, explaining that former two-weight UFC champion Jones would be on his hit list of MMA stars.
“You never know,” Fury added. “Anyone can beat anybody on the day. Nothing’s impossible, is it?”
Tickets for Fury v Makhmudov can be purchased via Ticketmaster
Topics: Anthony Joshua, Boxing, Jon Jones, MMA, Spotlight, Tyson Fury
Luke Davies