Deontay Wilder Talks Plans to Fight in the UFC & MMA

The hardest hitter in boxing history might come to MMA.

Deontay Wilder plans to transition from boxing to MMA before retiring altogether. "The Bronze Bomber" has registered his interest in competing in the UFC specifically --- not mentioning an opponent just yet.

Speaking to 'Blue Blood Sports TV', Wilder expressed his desire to don the 4oz gloves in MMA:

"I'm thinking about doing both, UFC and boxing. I'll be a dangerous man in the UFC with 4oz gloves. ...I feel like picking up a big body and slamming him, then getting on top of him and beating the s*** out of him."

As for any potential opponent, most fans and pundits are pointing towards Francis Ngannou, after "The Predator" gave an amazing showing against Tyson Fury on October 28. Even PFL founder Donn Davis wants Wilder vs. Ngannou as a mixed-rule fight in the PFL, possibly some time in 2024:

"I think there’s a boxing path for him next, and I think there’s a mixed fight for him next," Davis told The MMA Hour. "...I think it would be fantastic [for Ngannou to fight Wilder].

"...I think he already proved against Tyson Fury what he has to prove for now... I think Francis [fights] Deontay Wilder, and I think it is a wild fight... Because what you know and what I know, is who Francis is. But now the rest of the world knows what he [Ngannou] is... a global superstar... No one is going to sleep on him this time."

Wilder never registered his interest in the PFL, but if the money is right, and the opponent is right, we could have a 2024 super fight on our hands. There's also the potential for a PFL x UFC cross-promotion now that the UFC antitrust lawsuit could continue to trial in early 2024.

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