A fighter like Derrick Lewis has nothing to win if he will surpass Tai this weekend , i mean ok, he might have a titleshot later this year but then again if he will be offered a fight in boxing that contains 1,500 000$ he will leave UFC.
So what is more and more UFC fightes will do the same including Francis? Sure you will just have one bout agreeement but at the same time you will make a name in boxing and you can then taking fights in Bellator or Rizin, do not forget Bare Knuckle FC.
That means Derrick could do boxing and fighting a random japanese heavyweight in NYE in Rizin or fighting Cheick Kongo. No need to fight for UFC.
I’m guessing Francis will most likely get his shot that he covets at boxing with Fury. As we Sheepdogs know, he will be utterly humiliated, but he will fulfill his dream and get paid handsomely.
IMO this will have an effect on the appetite to see MMA fighters box at a top tier level, it will reek of desperation for a pay day and an obvious foregone conclusion, thus these opportunities will be a thing of the past.
That being said the hybrid combat sports such as BNB and Triad Combat will still be around and attract the fighters nearing the end of their competitive window and maybe the occasional needle mover, who gets the right deal of course. These types of fights are competitive and actually entertaining without a known ending...lol, I do enjoy watching them after the fact, or the occasional weekend without MMA fights.
Going forward If there are fighters who nearing the end of their careers are talented enough with their hands in MMA who can actually crossover, that theoretically appear that they can keep their head above water in boxing, sure why not.... However that will be very few and far between, those guys would’ve already been identified and been in boxing instead of MMA.
Anyway most of the big names like Ngannou and even a Derrick Lewis are guys that would actually make a hypothetically somewhat interesting crossover into boxing are guys that the lesser promotions can’t afford. For instance you mentioned Cheick Congo who’s base salary is 100K (without bonus), he is reportedly set to make 100k for his TS versus Bader the Champ who ironically is also making 100K base salary, now compare that to Derrick Lewis. The Black Beast has made 500K base versus Daukaus and 500K base versus Gane for the Interim TS, 140K versus JDS, and 500K for his TS versus DC. I highly doubt that BB would be willing to sign for 100K with Bellator to have the freedom to chase a boxing match that may or may not materialize, now Ngannou is in a different boat as a title holder.
Anyway that’s my worthless $0.2 for you TS... I’m glad to see you have finally worked past making Mark Hunt blast threads... good man.
