Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk was a monumental clash in recent history. It crowned a new brand value undisputed heavyweight champion in over twenty-five years. Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia was another exciting boxing bout. Meanwhile, UFC 300 became etched in history and the return of Conor McGregor and Jon Jones draws near. However, Demetrious Johnson believes one sport is more exciting at present.
Ask former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, and boxing has a shift over MMA this year. Johnson says Usyk’s win was a particularly big moment for him. However, the current ONE Championship flyweight champion added he’s confident in MMA’s turnaround. The flyweight legend hedges his hope this weekend with UFC 302.
Right now, I feel like boxing is more exciting than mixed martial arts…I mean, there are points in time when mixed martial arts is having it’s peaks. But right now, you just had Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia just popped.,,then you had Francis Ngannou who got knocked out by Anthony Joshua…Then you just had the beautiful Tyson Fury and [Oleksandr] Usyk [fight]. He just beat him and became the heavyweight champion!
Demetrious Johnson via his “MIGHTY” Podcast (@Mighty15x)
It is indeed true that boxing has had significant fights in 2024. Fury vs. Usky, Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony Joshua, and Haney vs. Garcia all entertained the combat sports fans. Moreover, Canelo Alvarez vs. Jaime Munguia and Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. George Kambosos Jr. were underrated fights of the year. The sport of boxing has not had this many exciting fights in six months in a long time. As such, Johnson’s claim that boxing is more exciting than MMA is not a reach.
On the other hand, UFC events have broken one record after another. UFC 299 broke the live gate UFC record for an event held in the state of Florida. UFC St. Louis broke the live gate record for a Fight Night event. The upcoming UFC 303 broke the all-time live gate record. Moreover, how can anyone forget the epic UFC 300 fight card? Max Holloway and Alex Pereira‘s iconic moment at the event will live on in the minds of the fans. As such, Johnson’s comments did not sit well with fans on the internet.
Fans react to Demetrious Johnson ranking boxing better than MMA in 2024
2024, specifically from June onwards, marks the start of a prolific period for MMA grinders and enthusiasts. Even UFC 297 in Canada saw Sean Strickland getting huge ovations from the Canadian crowd. The energy remained unlike anything ever before seen. 2024 also saw the first-ever South African and Spanish champions in the UFC.
Fans react to the matter (Source: ringtv.com/foxsports.com)Even UFC 302 features top names like Dustin Poirier, Islam Makhachev, Paulo Costa, and Strickland. The 155-pound crown is at stake; concurrently, UFC 304 from Co-Op Live also douses some interesting pairings. Yet flyweight G.O.A.T Demetrious Johnson says boxing has fared better this year. Here’s what fans think of it:
He never heard of Alex Pereira or Max Holloway then .
— Leonard (@UnbreakableOnX) May 28, 2024
I like MMA but it sometimes feels like watching a bar fight. Boxing looks and feels skilled and knightly.
— Unisquity MMA (@UnisquityMma) May 28, 2024
Nah. A great modern boxing match has nothing on a great ufc fight.
— Josh…. (@Notjasonbteman) May 28, 2024
Lmao he’s become the ultimate contrarian in the past few years
Boxing is incredible lately but yeah I feel like MM is just saying words for clicks at this point
— P (@DKD2421) May 28, 2024
UFC is doing well! It’s not an argument that things are bad for them. It’s just that in the last 18 months boxing has been on an historic tear.
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) May 28, 2024
I love both sports but when you’re talking about STANDUP combat, boxing wins because it’s highly more technical. It’s like the premier League to major league soccer.
I do like watching things go to the ground in MMA. That’s when it gets technical instead of lucky in MMA.
— Warhammer Mentioned? (@WarhammerMents) May 28, 2024
For sure. I started really getting back into it after the Terrance Crawford fight; and now I feel like I did back in the mid 90s/early 00s on HBO during the last boxing heyday. During the “Sugar” Shane, Oscar, Trinidad, Prince Naseeem, Morales, Pacman and RJJ era.
— 🦧 Insidious MMA Gorilla 🦍 (@MMAGamblingtips) May 28, 2024
was a great thing to have Usyk vs Fury but we have an Islam fight and Connor’s comeback in the same month plus the Saudi card. And in boxing we don’t have anything like that unfortunately beterbiev is hurt.
— Luis AM (@AMLuis16) May 28, 2024
We got the Saudi’s to thank for that.
— Kem-maka (@May_twenty3rd) May 28, 2024
We are just coming off #UFC300 and are starting June madness with the most hyped narrative of the year, @DustinPoirier capturing the title at #UFC302. We then end off the month with a @MikeChandlerMMA fight. Boxing has had two big fights this year. Not cards just fights. And…
— Robert Brown | Ultiverse⚡️🐑 (@rbrown00) May 28, 2024
Boxing, when the clinching is limited, is one of the most exciting sports ever invented. MMA is great too, but theres something about saying “fists only, good luck.” There is no kick, no takedown, just good old fashion punches to the face and gut…
— Al Goodman(CoachGoody421) (@AlGoody421) May 28, 2024
Quite a few fans have consequently alluded to the return of ‘The Notorious’ and the stacked cards. A few have also mentioned highlight performances by Alex Pereira and Max Holloway at UFC 300. Conversely, and quite ironically, their KO stints came as standup games and not ground control. Holloway, especially, is a hard-hitting boxer amongst UFC’s top crops.
Boxing requires a utilitarian use of stand-up skills and strong footwork. Hence, with limited clinches and closing of gaps, many fans say they find boxing more agreeable. It also provides a more gutsy situation, whereas they feel kicks, holds, jabs, and clinches provide more leeway to win a fight in a number of ways. All in all, the flyweight’s viewpoints have gone immensely viral.
