Brock Lesnar vs. Mike Tyson, in their prime (1 Viewer)

[Kenny Powers]

Lesnar. Really not close at all.

Tyson wasn't even that well-rounded as a boxer. He knocked out a bunch of good-but-not-great fighters easily. He got exposed by Buster Douglas.

Lesnar is a better athlete and better in every aspect of fighting except one. He'd easily be able to get a takedown, get to mount and pound Tyson out.

Not so sure about that

 

[Keith R]

If Lesnar gets Tyson to the ground before getting KO'ed, he'd have a 95+% chance of winning.

Factoring in Tyson's mix of power, speed, and ability to mesh the two in a way that rendered his opponent's defenses largely futile, the chances of Brock actually grounding Tyson would be about 30%. And I only gave him such a high percentage based on his very good level of speed for someone his size.

And there is NO WAY Brock KOs Tyson without taking him to the ground first. Tyson ate punches from Buster Douglas for 10 rounds, Holyfield for 11, and Lewis for 8 before being stopped. And these were terribly one-sided fights where Tyson won maybe 4 rounds in the three fights combined and ate punch after punch throughout. Not to mention he was past his prime in at least two of the fights, quite possibly all three, as his high-octane style insured that his peak would be shorter than most boxers. And these punches came from lifelong career boxers, not converted wrestlers who only learned elementary boxing techniques in order to round out their overall arsenal.

So while it's not a given, I favor Tyson. Odds are that Lesnar would be KO'ed before he could take Tyson to the ground.

 

[Moe.]

All your punching power comes from your hip rotation, which comes from driving off of your feet. A boxer (anyone, really) not standing loses the majority of his punching power (I'd guess 80%, if not more).

Ground-&-pound punches have power, though, even while the puncher is kneeling/sitting and can't really rotate the hips -- though obviously, it's way better to be punching from the top position.

Yep. those punches are less powerful, but sometimes more effective because on the receiving end, the movement of the fighters neck to cushion the blows is gone. Head on the ground and getting punched down on is just bone breaking. I'm assuming that Tyson is going to be on the bottom (I feel pretty good in this assumption too) -- and he's not hurting anyone with punches while lying on his back.

What about a punch to the nuts? I'm pretty sure that would still hurt Lesnar even if Tyson was on the ground. Remember there are no rules in a street fight. Eye gouging, biting, head butts, throat strikes, groin attacks, etc...anything goes. Tyson wouldn't just be reduced to punching at Lesnar's face. This would be crazy eyes killa street fight Tyson.

If he punched him in the nuts Brock would pull out his hunting rifle and just end the whole thing. In all seriousness: If we're just talking about a spy vs spy game of who can one-up the other as far as eye gouges and nut punches go, then no technique really matters at all. I'm assume that Tyson will not chew his way through BLs arm and then take it home with him, and I'm assuming that Brock will not attempt to put both his thumbs through MT's eye sockets, bad 60s kung fu style. If that's the game, then pick whatever ending you want. Anything is possible. If we're talking about the skillset Lesnar has an an MMA fighter against the skillset Tyson has as a boxer, give me Lesnar all day long.

Essentially what I was trying to say.

 

[TwinTurbo]

If he punched him in the nuts Brock would pull out his hunting rifle and just end the whole thing. In all seriousness: If we're just talking about a spy vs spy game of who can one-up the other as far as eye gouges and nut punches go, then no technique really matters at all. I'm assume that Tyson will not chew his way through BLs arm and then take it home with him, and I'm assuming that Brock will not attempt to put both his thumbs through MT's eye sockets, bad 60s kung fu style. If that's the game, then pick whatever ending you want. Anything is possible. If we're talking about the skillset Lesnar has an an MMA fighter against the skillset Tyson has as a boxer, give me Lesnar all day long.

Yeah I agree Lesnar would almost certainly win in a structured match but the OP is promoting this fantasy matchup as a street fight where MMA rules and Boxing rules would not apply. So the skillsets would not be just pure MMA vs boxing skills, which is why I give the slight edge to Tyson.

 

[Moe.]

If he punched him in the nuts Brock would pull out his hunting rifle and just end the whole thing. In all seriousness: If we're just talking about a spy vs spy game of who can one-up the other as far as eye gouges and nut punches go, then no technique really matters at all. I'm assume that Tyson will not chew his way through BLs arm and then take it home with him, and I'm assuming that Brock will not attempt to put both his thumbs through MT's eye sockets, bad 60s kung fu style. If that's the game, then pick whatever ending you want. Anything is possible. If we're talking about the skillset Lesnar has an an MMA fighter against the skillset Tyson has as a boxer, give me Lesnar all day long.

Yeah I agree Lesnar would almost certainly win in a structured match but the OP is promoting this fantasy matchup as a street fight where MMA rules and Boxing rules would not apply. So the skillsets would not be just pure MMA vs boxing skills, which is why I give the slight edge to Tyson.

You're taking the street fight thing way too literally. I can win a street fight against Tyson if I have a gun. That's clearly not the point of this whole discussion.

 

[Keith R]

Too many people focusing on the differences between boxing and mma and forgetting the size difference between these two people. Lesnar is the size of a bear.

Tyson was dwarfed by most of his opponents and used it to his advantage. The street fight aspect and Lesnar's grappling skills dilute that technique somewhat in this hypothetical, but it would still be a significant factor.

 

[Chaka]

Lesnar better bring his passport.

 

[Bob Magaw]

shooting tyson would just fuel his homicidal, psychopathic rage further...

probably alluded to upthread... but all bets are off with biting allowed in a street fight...

 

[southeastjerome]

Worst thread eva

 

[Harry Manback]

If he punched him in the nuts Brock would pull out his hunting rifle and just end the whole thing. In all seriousness: If we're just talking about a spy vs spy game of who can one-up the other as far as eye gouges and nut punches go, then no technique really matters at all. I'm assume that Tyson will not chew his way through BLs arm and then take it home with him, and I'm assuming that Brock will not attempt to put both his thumbs through MT's eye sockets, bad 60s kung fu style. If that's the game, then pick whatever ending you want. Anything is possible. If we're talking about the skillset Lesnar has an an MMA fighter against the skillset Tyson has as a boxer, give me Lesnar all day long.

Yeah I agree Lesnar would almost certainly win in a structured match but the OP is promoting this fantasy matchup as a street fight where MMA rules and Boxing rules would not apply. So the skillsets would not be just pure MMA vs boxing skills, which is why I give the slight edge to Tyson.

I give the edge to Tyson because he's ####### crazy.And you don't want to bet against a ####### crazy person in a fight.

 

[Adebisi]

I have a hard time believing that many of these people who are voting for Lesnar ever really saw Tyson fight in his prime. Take away the teens and twenty-somethings voting in this poll, and I bet Tyson wins it 2:1.

Along similar lines, I also think this is very much a case of voting for the modern day guy over the guy from yesteryear.

 

[Moe.]

Lesnar's craziness is way underrated here. The guy has a tattoo of a johnson on his chest, he is clearly whacko.

 

[TwinTurbo]

If he punched him in the nuts Brock would pull out his hunting rifle and just end the whole thing. In all seriousness: If we're just talking about a spy vs spy game of who can one-up the other as far as eye gouges and nut punches go, then no technique really matters at all. I'm assume that Tyson will not chew his way through BLs arm and then take it home with him, and I'm assuming that Brock will not attempt to put both his thumbs through MT's eye sockets, bad 60s kung fu style. If that's the game, then pick whatever ending you want. Anything is possible. If we're talking about the skillset Lesnar has an an MMA fighter against the skillset Tyson has as a boxer, give me Lesnar all day long.

Yeah I agree Lesnar would almost certainly win in a structured match but the OP is promoting this fantasy matchup as a street fight where MMA rules and Boxing rules would not apply. So the skillsets would not be just pure MMA vs boxing skills, which is why I give the slight edge to Tyson.

You're taking the street fight thing way too literally. I can win a street fight against Tyson if I have a gun. That's clearly not the point of this whole discussion.

I was referring to a no holds barred street fight which is relevant to this discussion. I'm assuming there are no guns or gladiator weapons or tactical nukes.

 

[Radical Larry]

@ all the Tyson voters.

 

[Abrantes]

@ all the Tyson voters.

 

[Bob Magaw]

I was referring to a no holds barred street fight which is relevant to this discussion. I'm assuming there are no guns or gladiator weapons or tactical nukes.

who wins if tyson gets a battle axe and lesnar a trident...

 

[Gadabout]

Lesnar wins 9/10 times.

 

[Radical Larry]

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Tyson looked pathetic in that video.

 

[Abrantes]

I have a hard time believing that many of these people who are voting for Lesnar ever really saw Tyson fight in his prime. Take away the teens and twenty-somethings voting in this poll, and I bet Tyson wins it 2:1.

I have a hard time believing that many of these people who are voting for Tyson ever really watched MMA with any regularity. Take away the old-timers and boxing purists voting in this poll, and I bet Lesnar wins it 2:1.... Pretty irrelevant argument, though.

 

[Mister Martie]

Who would vote for Tyson?

In a street fight against Lesner, he'd have almost no chance. Lesner's reach advantage means that Tyson would have to close on Lesner to hit him and there is a 99% chance he gets taken down before that. Tyson would have no chance at defending a takedown from Lesner. None. It's laughable to reference his "street fighting" cred to say he could defend against this. This isn't Rocky 5.

What would probably happen if they fought is Tyson would close into punching range and Lesner would tuck his chin and shoot. If by some miracle Tyson managed to land a direct shot to Lesner's head with him coming in at that angle, he might knock him out. Even a dazed Lesner would take him down and finish him.

 

[Psychopav]

MMA is samesex snuggling compared to boxing.Plus, streetfighting is more will than skill. Used to like to jam - 6'4 220, boxed CYO - and loved destroying pumpers who didnt understand hate. And there has never been a more murderous force in public life than Mike Tyson.

I bet you'd be a huge hit on Bully Beatdown.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Lesnar would destroy any boxer 99% of the time. This really isn't close.

 

[Voice Of Reason]

The 45% people who voted for Tyson are

right?

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I can shoot free throws better than Shaq. I could definitely beat him in a game of one on one.

 

[Voice Of Reason]

I'd take Jose Aldo, the WEC's 145 lb champ to tool a prime Tyson

 

[bosoxs45]

Lesnar would F-5 tyson,easily.

 

[Short Corner]

MMA is samesex snuggling compared to boxing.Plus, streetfighting is more will than skill. Used to like to jam - 6'4 220, boxed CYO - and loved destroying pumpers who didnt understand hate.

 

[SHIZNITTTT]

The way Lesnar was rocked in his last fight and held on for dear life I will take Tyson. If Tyson lands even one of those uppercuts on Lesnar it is Lesnar go night night time.

 

[theglorydays]

Lesnar. Really not close at all.

Tyson wasn't even that well-rounded as a boxer. He knocked out a bunch of good-but-not-great fighters easily. He got exposed by Buster Douglas.

Lesnar is a better athlete and better in every aspect of fighting except one. He'd easily be able to get a takedown, get to mount and pound Tyson out.

Not so sure about that

Yea i'm not to sure about that either. Lesnar is an incredible athlete but so is Tyson.

 

[tdoss]

Corwin clocked Lesner and put him on his back quick...do you people really think Corwin can hit like Mike F'ing Tyson in his prime?

Even if Lesner charged at him full speed with that bull rush tackle move of his...Tyson side steps and unleashes and unholy uppercut that would launch Lesner's head into orbit.

I simply cannot believe this poll.

 

[theglorydays]

Corwin clocked Lesner and put him on his back quick...do you people really think Corwin can hit like Mike F'ing Tyson in his prime?Even if Lesner charged at him full speed with that bull rush tackle move of his...Tyson side steps and unleashes and unholy uppercut that would launch Lesner's head into orbit.I simply cannot believe this poll.

When has he bullrushed anyone? You mean when he broke Heath Herrings orbital bone and charged across the cage to tackle him after Heath got back to his feet? That is the only time i've ever seen him do that.

 

[Genedoc]

The way Lesnar was rocked in his last fight and held on for dear life I will take Tyson. If Tyson lands even one of those uppercuts on Lesnar it is Lesnar go night night time.

I agree that Tyson would KO Lesnar if he landed one of Tyson's patented upper cuts. That said, I think the odds of Tyson actually landing that punch on anything other than Lesnar's guard are slim and none.

 

[SHIZNITTTT]

Tyson one of the best heavyweight fighters of all time vs. Lesnar. Come on people.

 

[4 - Digit Shark]

IMO, in his prime Tyson had each opponent beat before the 1st bell even rang, cause they were scared to death of him. He lost a lot of his mojo when that fear went away. I don't know Lesnar personally, but from what I see I doubt he'd be scared of Tyson, no matter the setting. I'd bet on Brock playing it super safe and being able to get it to the ground, where it would be no contest as Lesnar beat him by G&P, Choke, or whatever way he wanted.

 

[SHIZNITTTT]

The way Lesnar was rocked in his last fight and held on for dear life I will take Tyson. If Tyson lands even one of those uppercuts on Lesnar it is Lesnar go night night time.

I agree that Tyson would KO Lesnar if he landed one of Tyson's patented upper cuts. That said, I think the odds of Tyson actually landing that punch on anything other than Lesnar's guard are slim and none.

My eye is starting to twitch. Lesnar was hit numerous times in his last fight, and Corwin is no where near the level of Tyson. Also, in a street fight I think Tyson would simply bite Lesnar to break a clinch.

 

[RCon]

I have a hard time believing that many of these people who are voting for Lesnar ever really saw Tyson fight in his prime. Take away the teens and twenty-somethings voting in this poll, and I bet Tyson wins it 2:1.Along similar lines, I also think this is very much a case of voting for the modern day guy over the guy from yesteryear.

Late 30s here, and remember Tyson as one of the most devastating punchers ever. I say Lesnar wins easily.

 

[Genedoc]

Corwin clocked Lesner and put him on his back quick...do you people really think Corwin can hit like Mike F'ing Tyson in his prime?Even if Lesner charged at him full speed with that bull rush tackle move of his...Tyson side steps and unleashes and unholy uppercut that would launch Lesner's head into orbit.I simply cannot believe this poll.

Against a balanced fighter like Corwin, Lesnar was also protecting against wrestling moves, possible submissions, and take downs, all of which makes landing those shots markedly more likely. He'd have to protect against none of that against Tyson. All he'd have to do is protect himself from the upper cut and get the fight to the ground.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

The way Lesnar was rocked in his last fight and held on for dear life I will take Tyson. If Tyson lands even one of those uppercuts on Lesnar it is Lesnar go night night time.

I agree that Tyson would KO Lesnar if he landed one of Tyson's patented upper cuts. That said, I think the odds of Tyson actually landing that punch on anything other than Lesnar's guard are slim and none.

My eye is starting to twitch. Lesnar was hit numerous times in his last fight, and Corwin is no where near the level of Tyson. Also, in a street fight I think Tyson would simply bite Lesnar to break a clinch.

eat a banana. that potassium will help you with those twitches. No one here is arguing that If Lesnar tried to box with Tyson, BL would get slaughtered. Lesnar wasn't scared of Carwin's boxing (though in retrospect, he should have been.) He wouldn't try that with Tyson.

 

[Genedoc]

I have a hard time believing that many of these people who are voting for Lesnar ever really saw Tyson fight in his prime. Take away the teens and twenty-somethings voting in this poll, and I bet Tyson wins it 2:1.Along similar lines, I also think this is very much a case of voting for the modern day guy over the guy from yesteryear.

Late 30s here, and remember Tyson as one of the most devastating punchers ever. I say Lesnar wins easily.

Same here. There's no bigger Tyson in his prime fan boy around than me. That said, I have enough watched enough MMA and seen how boxers fare against grapplers, and I've enough friends who've attempted MMA amateur fights to know that if athleticism, size, and power are roughly equivalent, the boxer gets his butt handed to him.

 

[Genedoc]

Tyson one of the best heavyweight fighters boxers of all time vs. Lesnar. Come on people.

Boxer <> fighter.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Corwin clocked Lesner and put him on his back quick...do you people really think Corwin can hit like Mike F'ing Tyson in his prime?Even if Lesner charged at him full speed with that bull rush tackle move of his...Tyson side steps and unleashes and unholy uppercut that would launch Lesner's head into orbit.I simply cannot believe this poll.

Sure, Carwin can't hit like Tyson. But you really think all you have to do to stop a Brock Lesnar takedown is step aside and punch him? This isn't Bald Bull's bull charge. Lesnar has taken down many wrestlers and a few MMA fighters who knew exactly what was coming and still couldn't stop it.

 

[Chaka]

I think people are mistaking Lesnar's victories in MMA for some kind of fighting skill.

Tyson was a fighter of extraordinary magnitude.

 

[theglorydays]

If Tyson had a height/reach advantage, this fight might be a toss up. Tyson's stand up is so much better and with no ring/cage, he could simply stick and move. But since he doesn't, he is going to have to close the distance, the instance he gets in range, Lesnar will change levels and put him on his back.

 

[SHIZNITTTT]

The way Lesnar was rocked in his last fight and held on for dear life I will take Tyson. If Tyson lands even one of those uppercuts on Lesnar it is Lesnar go night night time.

I agree that Tyson would KO Lesnar if he landed one of Tyson's patented upper cuts. That said, I think the odds of Tyson actually landing that punch on anything other than Lesnar's guard are slim and none.

My eye is starting to twitch. Lesnar was hit numerous times in his last fight, and Corwin is no where near the level of Tyson. Also, in a street fight I think Tyson would simply bite Lesnar to break a clinch.

eat a banana. that potassium will help you with those twitches. No one here is arguing that If Lesnar tried to box with Tyson, BL would get slaughtered. Lesnar wasn't scared of Carwin's boxing (though in retrospect, he should have been.) He wouldn't try that with Tyson.

Well I didn't realize how ####### big Lesnar is and Mike would be giving up a lot of reach, height, and wrestling skills. Honestly the only chance Tyson has is to land a haymaker or push Lesnar to many rounds (well it is a street fight and no time limit) since I think Tysons stamina would be better than Lesnar's.

 

[Genedoc]

I think people are mistaking Lesnar's victories in MMA for some kind of fighting skill.Tyson was a fighter of extraordinary magnitude.

You've got to be fishing, you're smarter than this. Lesnar's proven himself elite in two very different fighting disciplines as an NCAA Division 1 Wrestling National Champion AND a mixed martial arts heavyweight champion.

 

[Genedoc]

The way Lesnar was rocked in his last fight and held on for dear life I will take Tyson. If Tyson lands even one of those uppercuts on Lesnar it is Lesnar go night night time.

I agree that Tyson would KO Lesnar if he landed one of Tyson's patented upper cuts. That said, I think the odds of Tyson actually landing that punch on anything other than Lesnar's guard are slim and none.

My eye is starting to twitch. Lesnar was hit numerous times in his last fight, and Corwin is no where near the level of Tyson. Also, in a street fight I think Tyson would simply bite Lesnar to break a clinch.

eat a banana. that potassium will help you with those twitches. No one here is arguing that If Lesnar tried to box with Tyson, BL would get slaughtered. Lesnar wasn't scared of Carwin's boxing (though in retrospect, he should have been.) He wouldn't try that with Tyson.

Well I didn't realize how ####### big Lesnar is and Mike would be giving up a lot of reach, height, and wrestling skills. Honestly the only chance Tyson has is to land a haymaker or push Lesnar to many rounds (well it is a street fight and no time limit) since I think Tysons stamina would be better than Lesnar's.

Yeah, the tale of the tape isn't in Tyson's favor. Tyson is 5'10", has a reach of 71", and fought at @220. Lesnar is 6'3", 81" reach, and fights at 265. Giving up 4 inches of height, 10 inches of reach, and nearly 50 pounds is not ideal for any fighter.

 

[tdoss]

I think people are mistaking Lesnar's victories in MMA for some kind of fighting skill.Tyson was a fighter of extraordinary magnitude.

You've got to be fishing, you're smarter than this. Lesnar's proven himself elite in two very different fighting disciplines as an NCAA Division 1 Wrestling National Champion AND a mixed martial arts heavyweight champion.

Let's not build the Great Wall over this analogy now...those things pretty much go hand in hand.It's not like Lesner won the National Title in Wrestling and then went on to become the greatest ballet dancer of all time.Carwin and Lesner were both wrestling studs...Carwin was 12-0 coming into that match against Lesner. I think it's fairly safe to say that if you can succeed at wrestling on a national level...you can hold your own in MMA. It's not a complete overhaul of what the guy has been doing all along.

 

[Chaka]

I think people are mistaking Lesnar's victories in MMA for some kind of fighting skill.Tyson was a fighter of extraordinary magnitude.

You've got to be fishing, you're smarter than this. Lesnar's proven himself elite in two very different fighting disciplines as an NCAA Division 1 Wrestling National Champion AND a mixed martial arts heavyweight champion.

I like the guy but he's a bully and relies on his size & strength advantage too much. Eventually Tyson fell into the same trap and Buster Douglass showed him the error of his ways, too bad he spent the remaining best years of his career in prison.Tyson in his prime had tremendous fighting skill and knowledge. People don't realize that he would devour fight film and is actually an impressive boxing historian.With no ring/octagon to crowd them I like Tyson. If Lesnar gets him to the ground then he has the clear advantage, I just don't think he would get him there before Tyson hurt him too much.I'm not saying Tyson wins 100 out of 100 times but I think he wins the majority.

 

[Genedoc]

I think people are mistaking Lesnar's victories in MMA for some kind of fighting skill.Tyson was a fighter of extraordinary magnitude.

You've got to be fishing, you're smarter than this. Lesnar's proven himself elite in two very different fighting disciplines as an NCAA Division 1 Wrestling National Champion AND a mixed martial arts heavyweight champion.

I like the guy but he's a bully and relies on his size & strength advantage too much. Eventually Tyson fell into the same trap and Buster Douglass showed him the error of his ways, too bad he spent the remaining best years of his career in prison.Tyson in his prime had tremendous fighting skill and knowledge. People don't realize that he would devour fight film and is actually an impressive boxing historian.With no ring/octagon to crowd them I like Tyson. If Lesnar gets him to the ground then he has the clear advantage, I just don't think he would get him there before Tyson hurt him too much.I'm not saying Tyson wins 100 out of 100 times but I think he wins the majority.

I actually agree re: Lesnar. I do NOT like him at all, and I think he's got a long way to go to be a great MMA fighter. That said, he still beats people, and I think his extensive multidisciplinary fighting experience combined with significant size/strength advantages lead to him winning much more often than not against any boxer, Tyson included.