Joshua Eyes MMA Switch as Boxing-MMA Crossover Grows

Former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has hinted at the possibility of stepping into mixed martial arts in the future, saying he is intrigued by the growing crossover between boxing and MMA.

The British-Nigerian fighter, who famously defeated former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in a boxing bout in 2024, said the increasing movement of MMA fighters into boxing has made him consider trying the opposite direction.

Speaking in an interview with The Ring, Joshua suggested that it may be time for boxers to also explore opportunities inside the MMA cage rather than always welcoming fighters from other disciplines into boxing rings.

He acknowledged, however, that competing in MMA would be a major challenge, noting that elite fighters in the sport are highly skilled in grappling, submissions, and ground techniques that boxers are not traditionally trained for.

Joshua stressed that while the transition would be difficult, it would also be exciting to see how a top-level boxer performs under MMA rules.

He believes such a crossover would attract massive global attention and could open a new era of combat sports entertainment.

The former Olympic gold medallist also dismissed concerns about past failures of boxers who attempted MMA transitions, arguing that proper preparation could change outcomes.

Despite his curiosity about MMA, Joshua remains focused on boxing, with upcoming fights already scheduled and a potential blockbuster clash with Tyson Fury still being discussed in the boxing world.