Mike Tyson’s announcement of an exhibition fight with Floyd Mayweather has left MMA legend Daniel Cormier confused.
An announcement of the bout was made by both men on social media, as Tyson and Mayweather have both claimed to have signed to compete against each other in 2026.
This contest has shocked former world champions and boxing fans alike, especially following ‘Iron’ Mike’s lacklustre performance against Jake Paul under a watered-down professional rule set.
However, this bout will be contested under exhibition rules, which means there will be changes, including no formal winner being announced, shorter rounds, and larger gloves.
UFC legend Daniel Cormier is confused as to why Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather are fighting each other
The pair have not seen eye to eye over the years, and Tyson once famously picked an eight-division legend as the ‘most sensational’ over Floyd, in a 2013 interview.
It is the second high-profile exhibition announcement following the Paul vs Gervonta Davis fight, which will take place in November this year.
UFC legend Cormier is not sure why either fight is taking place, but is more confused as to why the two legends have decided to compete against one another.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Cormier questioned the need for either to jump back in the ring following their successful careers in the sport.
He said: “I respect these two men to a degree that it’s hard for me to almost make negative statements about them. But I think that our job as talking heads is to tell you the truth.
“I don’t get this. I don’t get this for the life of me because by all accounts, Mike Tyson started his new business, got his life on track… made a boatload of money to fight Jake Paul last year. It’s not a money play.
“Floyd, I saw a thing this morning, him talking about keeping his money clean, stuffing hundreds of thousands of dollars in a plastic bag. These guys don’t need money. A lot of times when you get these great champions fighting well past their prime, it’s to make cash.”
No information is known about how fans will be able to tune into the contest, although a pay-per-view is likely given the names involved.
Mike Tyson issues stark warning to Floyd Mayweather ahead of 2026 exhibition
This bout is the eighth exhibition contest for ‘Money May’.
The 48-year-old has faced WWE superstar Logan Paul and stopped three of the contests before the scheduled distance.
Tyson has only competed in one of these exhibition bouts, in 2020, against fellow legendary name Roy Jones Jr.
As the fight has been signed, the 59-year-old has already sent a warning to ‘Money’ before they are scheduled to lock horns in 2026.
Speaking to TMZ, he said: “This fight is something neither the world nor I ever thought would or could happen. However, boxing has entered a new era of the unpredictable, and this fight is as unpredictable as it gets.
“I still can’t believe Floyd wants to really do this. It’s going to be detrimental to his health, but he wants to do it, so it’s signed and it’s happening.”
Mayweather has told fans to expect something ‘legendary’ in the ring as the five-weight champion continues to maintain his relevance in the sport.