Boxers Who Have Beaten MMA Fighters in the Ring

In the world of fighting sports, there has always been a debate between who would win, a boxer at their prime, or an MMA fighter at the top of their game. Every fight is different, and it largely depends on the rules of the match-up. That said, there have been high-profile cases where boxers have clashed with MMA fighters and came out on top.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. – The Money Fight

For many people, the first boxer that comes to mind is Floyd Mayweather Jr. Not only is he one of the most decorated boxers of all time, but he beat Conor McGregor in the biggest cross-discipline fight in history – the 2017 Money Fight.

As an MMA fighter, McGregor was known for his fierce punching ability more than his technical grappling skills. That made him ideal for the boxing match-up. He was also at his most famous at the time, though he’s still one of the UFC’s biggest names. This year, his next fight is igniting Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler betting markets, where McGregor is the clear favourite with 10/11 odds. In 2017, McGregor had become lightweight champ after losing his featherweight belt due to inactivity, so he was always a favourite in MMA betting. Likewise, Floyd Mayweather’s unbeaten record made him a favourite in the boxing market. So, when he came out of retirement to fight McGregor, both combat sports watched with bated breath.

After a gruelling 10-round bout, Mayweather carried the fight with a TKO. On the night, McGregor had a few points in his favour – he weighed more and had a further reach. He also fought with an uncommon southpaw stance that has been studied for its purported benefits of advantage over orthodox. However, it was McGregor’s very first boxing fight, and Mayweather’s world-class experience won out in the end.

Holly Holm – UFC 193

In women’s combat sports, Holly Holm has a much-deserved reputation for her fierce record. Often named as the best female welterweight in the world, The Preacher’s Daughter carried a 33-2-3 win-loss-draw record with multiple belts to show for it. She retired from boxing in 2013 and moved into Bellator MMA instead.

After some early success, the UFC came calling, and this culminated in the now-infamous UFC 193. This was when Holm faced bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey – the biggest name in women’s MMA at the time. To say Holm was an underdog is an understatement, as fan sentiment and the betting markets predicted she would be another notch on Rousey’s unbeaten record.

Holm became the second woman to take Rousey past the first round and the first to beat her, in a defeat that also hospitalised her for the night. Holm still fights in the UFC today with a 15-7 win-loss record, but it’s undeniable that she was tempered by her early boxing prowess.

Ray Mercer – Adrenaline III: Bragging Rights

Ray Mercer’s journey through combat sports is filled with astounding accolades and fierce competition. He got his start as a pro boxer when he won the heavyweight gold at the 1988 Olympics. By 1991, he was WBO heavyweight champion and gave Tommy Morrison his very first loss.

After vacating his title, Mercer tried to call it a comeback in 2001 in a high-profile showdown with Wladimir Klitschko. The near-40-year-old Mercer lost by stoppage in the sixth round. It was the first stoppage of his entire career, as pundits said his iron jaw had been softened with age.

Mercer dabbled in kickboxing and, by 2007, started competing in Cage Fury, where he was handed another loss by legendary street fighter Kimbo Slice. Mercer almost gave up on MMA, but continued his career. This led to him beating former UFC heavyweight champ Tim Sylvia at Adrenaline III: Bragging Rights. He knocked Sylvia out in the first nine seconds of the fight, the first time Sylvia had been KO’d. It became Mercer’s only sanctioned MMA fight, so he retired with a 1-0 record.