http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7775062.stm Enzo Maccarinelli is interested in leaving boxing and joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), according to UFC UK president Marshall Zelaznik. Last week Maccarinelli, a former WBO cruiserweight champion, reportedly said he would be confident of knocking out British UFC star Michael Bisping. "We were contacted by Enzo's representatives about the possibility of Enzo moving over," said Zelaznik. "But the UFC is not the place for a novice mixed martial arts fighter." The UFC is the world's foremost brand within the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA), with competitors combining boxing, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, wrestling and other disciplines while fighting in an octagonal "cage". Last week, the 28-year-old Maccarinelli revealed that discussions had taken place between himself and UFC supremo Dana White. "I'd never rule out putting a pair of the little mitts on and going in the cage," he told The Sun's website. "I do enjoy the UFC and the sport of MMA in general. I'm quite a big follower of it but boxing will always be my number one." And Zelaznik said the idea of the Welshman appearing in the UFC's reality TV show The Ultimate Fighter, the winner of which is handed a UFC contract, had been "floated". However, Zelaznik said Maccarinelli did not possess the "well-rounded skills to be successful in MMA", let alone the tools to beat seasoned mixed martial artist Bisping. Zelaznik said: "Enzo's boxing career speaks for itself - he is very impressive. We were all surprised to learn that Enzo also trained between boxing bouts in both kickboxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which are two of the many skills vital for any well-rounded MMA fighter. "[But] with no wrestling experience and only keep-fit type training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Thai boxing, he would not have the skills that would allow him to succeed in MMA. "As boxing fans, we would love to one day see Enzo competing in our great sport. But Enzo would really need to focus a lot of energy on the nuances of the MMA ground and striking game before we would ever see that image realised. "If you understand the sport of MMA, you understand that any boxer, no matter how good, would not be able to effectively compete in the Octagon. It would be like a world-class sprinter entering the decathlon. "Marcus Davis, one of our top welterweights, was once ranked inside the top 10 light-middleweight boxers in the world and he will tell you boxers in MMA are like fish out of water." Maccarinelli, who lost his WBO crown to David Haye in March, defeated Matthew Ellis on his heavyweight debut on Saturday after a series of cruiserweight opponents pulled out. <!-- E BO -->
Just read that on the bbc site - he can bang but there is much more to MMA and the UFC and I cant see him dedicating himself to the sport full time.
yeah, obviously it is very hard for us to say, but given that he's a fan and has done some kickboxing and ju-jitsu....he isn't just running his mouth, i'm sure he has an understanding of what is required. Besides, Enzo is a smart and honest bloke....you never know, one more defeat and he might be tempted. Enzo is a huge puncher, and has fairly quick hands too.....it is game over if he lands on any 200lber's chin
That means he knows he will be blasted out as a heavyweight. It must be a sad day for him, but it's good thing he can go to another combat sport. Good planning by Enzo.
Yeah I like Enzo he comes accros like a nice guy. Maybe he clears out the division and then moves on to fight in MMA.... he would be a massive draw this side of the pond.
I´d like to see a successful pro boxer attempt MMA to see whether a real skilled boxer can beat these mat rats. Most of the time, at least in my estimation, a stand-up style will lose to a mat based style, when two fighters are roughly evenly matched. So I want to see whether a real boxer can go in there and destroy some of them with a well placed three or four punch combination.
if he has nothing else but boxing, then no. It's just not a fair fight. It's almost like a jiu jitsu bleck belt competing in boxing, though the boxer would have more success in mma than a jj guy in boxing.
That's stupid coming from the UFC, since MMA implies mixing fighting arts in there. When it all started you could see a boxer vs. a karate black belt. It's the clash of styles that makes MMA interesting and it's initial vision. They should let him fight, afterall he's a former world champ and/or highly ranked boxer.
