Mike Tyson would have been UFC star and thrown men ‘around like rag dolls with phenomenal power’ – says sparring partner

MIKE TYSON would have been a UFC superstar and thrown men “around like rag dolls with his phenomenal power” had he chose MMA over boxing.

Iron Mike has previously claimed if cage-fighting was as big as it is today when he ruled the heavyweight division in the ring, then he would have transitioned sports.

Boxing legend Mike Tyson would have been a UFC star if he wanted because of his ‘phenomenal power’Credit: Getty – Contributor

The American became the youngest heavyweight champion in history in 1986Credit: AFP – Getty

And The Baddest Man on the Planet’s former sparring partner Joe Egan claimed Tyson would have become a superstar in the cage.

He told SunSport: “With his punch power, speed, agility and his aggression, he would’ve been phenomenal.

“Any form of fighting when you’ve got his type of power and speed, you’re going to succeed.

“He was a very, very strong man in the clinch with the heavyweights.

Any form of fighting when you’ve got his type of power and speed, you’re going to succeed

Joe Egan on Mike Tyson

“These men that he was boxing and sparring, big men 6ft 5 20 stones, when they grabbed onto him he threw them off like a ragdoll.

“He was a phenomenal strong man. So, he would have prevailed for sure.”

Tyson, who has previously called UFC “sexy”, has inspired MMA fighters to his copy his “Peek-a-boo” boxing style of crouching low before leaping in with heavy hooks.

The 53-year-old looks set to make his return to the ring for a round-four fight to raise money for charity.

The American became the youngest heavyweight champion in history in 1986, aged 20.

Tyson alongside sparring partner Joe Egan in 2007Credit: PA:Press Association

Egan previously told SunSport that Tyson could reduce grown men to tears while sparring – even if they were wearing a head guard and “body armour.”

Tyson – who had horrible emotions of fear during his infamous ring walks – ended his incredible record of 50-6 including 44 knockouts.

And Egan also revealed that the American gave Wayne Rooney some first-hand advice about the perils of global fame after the striker joined Manchester United.

Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk