Mike Tyson Discusses 'Phenomenal' Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey and Jon Jones

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has hailed Conor McGregor as the most fascinating personality in the UFC ahead of the likes of Jon Jones and Ronda Rousey. 

Speaking with Nick Peet of Fighters Only magazine, the man known as Iron Mike opened up on the importance of characters outside of the ring. And it’s clear that when it comes to personality, Tyson has one particular favourite from the UFC:

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Conor is very charismatic. Jon Jones is bad, but deep down he’s a decent kind of person and very shy. Whereas this guy, Conor, he’s the man. He reminds me of the old-time boxers, one of those guys that’s just into everything. He walks into the room and everybody stands up. He sucks the air out of the room. He’s just a really interesting guy.

He does things nobody else has been able to do too. He’s kind of like an animated character, one that’s real though. He’s a great fighter, but his personality is even bigger than his talent. Isn’t that crazy? He’s got this huge personality. 

Nobody in MMA has ever had a personality as big as his. Ronda [Rousey] is just like a monster—the things she would do—but this guy is different. His personality is phenomenal.

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Tyson certainly knows what it takes to marry an intriguing persona with superb ability. During his time as a boxer he was devastating at his best, becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion and the youngest fighter in the sport’s history to win the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles at just 20 years of age.

Here are some of the very best moments from his storied fighting career:

“Professional fighting is show business,” Tyson added. “And at the end of the day you have to make sure you’re just as much about the business as you are the show.”

That’s a box McGregor certainly ticks. The Irishman’s pre-fight antics and sharp tongue have taken the UFC to a wider audience and propelled the Notorious into a position where he’s now the most recognisable MMA star on the planet.

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Additionally, his work inside the Octagon has been absorbing. Having knocked out featherweight superstar Jose Aldo in 13 seconds at UFC 194, McGregor went on the hunt for history, lining up a bout with Rafael Dos Anjos for the lightweight title. However, the Brazilian got injured, and a welterweight tussle was arranged with Nate Diaz, which the Irishman lost.

Even so, McGregor earned praise for his willingness to push boundaries. Chamatkar Sandhu of MMA Junkie thinks that’s something which is having an effect on the sport’s other big names:

Ahead of the bout with Aldo, the Notorious was in fine form when it came to trash talking the longstanding former champion. *Warning, expletive language used*:

Neither Jones nor Rousey are as in your face as McGregor in terms of their characters, but they are encapsulating to listen to in the build-up and aftermath of bouts.

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Jones has not been in action since January 2015 and is set to make his return to the Octagon at UFC 197 against Ovince Saint Preux; he was scheduled to fight longstanding rival Daniel Cormier for the light heavyweight title initially, although the champion has been forced to withdraw.

Naturally, Jones had his say on the change of opponent on social media:

There’s been no return date set for Rousey as of yet following her shock loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193. It’ll be intriguing to see what approach she takes after suffering her first defeat in the company.

The same, of course, applies to McGregor after a surprising loss to Diaz. The two men will face off for the second time at UFC 200 in another welterweight tussle, giving the featherweight title-holder a chance at immediate redemption. Nevertheless, any insults from the Irishman may not carry quite as much clout now that he’s been humbled.