Sources close to the situation have informed us that former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has been training in mixed martial arts at a private training camp in Las Vegas. Word is that the future boxing Hall of Famer has been working "extensively" on his ground game and is actually enjoying the idea of stepping into a cage for an MMA bout. The thought of the 44-year-old Mike Tyson in a cage may come as a shock to boxing fans, or any fan for that matter, but MMA fans have grown accustomed to seeing his face over the past few months, appearing in video blogs with UFC President Dana White and, more recently, two episodes of The Ultimate Fighter Season 12. Each time, Tyson has expressed great admiration for the sport.
If there is more to Tyson's training than just his appreciation of the sport, it wouldn't be the first time that he's flirted with the prospect of an MMA bout. In 2003, Tyson showed up at K-1: Battle at The Bellagio and challenged Bob Sapp. After a brief skirmish in the ring moments after Sapp's victory over Kimo Leopoldo, Tyson challenged the 365-pound "Beast" to a fight, stating, "I think Mr. Sapp is awesome. He has awesome physical power. As I said before, if we fight in the Marquess of Queensberry, I'd fight him tonight...Sign the contract big boy. Sign the contract!" Tyson was actually signed to K-1 and it appeared as though the fight would be made, but ultimately, the fight never came off.