Imagine debating with your elder brother about who is the absolute best when it comes to a street war. This argument has raged for years. Who holds the upper hand in an all-out fight—a boxer, an MMA fighter, or a street brawler? And it is safe that this narrative has transcended the usual sibling banter with fans battling over this on Reddit, Twitter, and beyond, each camp making its case. Boxing purists swear that a prime Mike Tyson would dismantle anyone with a single punch, while UFC fans argue that Khabib Nurmagomedov—who literally wrestled bears as a child—would dominate with his relentless grappling.
But what do Tyson’s modern counterparts think? Dmitry Bivol, the newly crowned undisputed light heavyweight boxing champion fresh off a statement victory over Artur Beterbiev, was recently asked this exact question. During a Q&A session with MMA Pros Pick, the host asked how a street fight between Bivol and Khabib would play out.
If you were expecting bravado or trash talk, think again. Bivol, measured and honest, gave a straightforward response: “To be honest, MMA is closer to a street fight, no point of hiding it.” And he has a point. The sweet science is a beautiful, disciplined sport—but it operates within strict rules. A street fight, however, is raw and unpredictable. There are no gloves, no rounds, no referees. Once the fight hits the ground, a boxer is out of his element, while an MMA fighter thrives in chaos.
And when it comes to chaos, Khabib Nurmagomedov was molded by it. In an interview with ESPN’s Megan Olivi, ‘The Eagle’ recalled a childhood experience that would make most fighters shudder: “Father put me [into] wrestling with [a] bear when I told him, ‘Hey, this bear tried to bite me.’ And I remember when he told me like, ‘Bite him back! No problem. You have to wrestle. You have to keep going.’”
Now, imagine that same man—an undefeated, Hall of Fame fighter—squaring off against a boxer in an unsanctioned fight. No ring, no bell, no rules. As legendary as boxing is, once the fight becomes more than just punches, the odds shift dramatically.
Well, each fighter is a master of their craft. Nurmagomedov brings an elite arsenal of grappling, sambo, and judo. Meanwhile, Bivol wields precision, power, and a jab capable of dictating an entire fight. Both disciplines have their strengths, and while fans can speculate endlessly, we may never truly know how a fight between them would unfold. However, let’s see what the fans have to say about this candid revelation.
Fight fans gush over Dmitry Bivol’s honest statement
Fans were divided on who would win in a street fight, but they all agreed on one thing! Bivol’s honesty about MMA being closer to street fighting. One fan remarked, “Bivol is too honest man,” while another chimed in, “Wow finally one boxer being real and not delusional about that.”
However, when it comes to street fighters choosing between MMA and boxing, history suggests MMA has the edge. Take UFC veteran Jorge Masvidal, for example. The former BMF titleholder made his way up through backyard brawls in Miami alongside Kimbo Slice before transitioning into MMA. During a conversation with Quinton Jackson, ‘Gamebred’ revealed that he received offers to pursue boxing but ultimately chose MMA—firstly for the money and secondly because of its similarity to street fighting.
Naturally, opinions on the hypothetical showdown were split. Some backed Khabib without hesitation, with one fan saying, “Easy money for Khabib for sure,” while another bluntly stated, “Bivol would get rag-dolled and smashed.” Meanwhile, others appreciated Bivol’s take, with one follower commenting, “Bivol has a good answer,” and another adding, “Finally someone’s honest.”
It’s also worth noting that Bivol recently defeated Artur Beterbiev, a fighter whom fans had dubbed “the Khabib Nurmagomedov of boxing.” So, what do you think? Would Dmitry Bivol have a chance against Khabib in a street fight? Or would the UFC Hall of Famer dominate as expected? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
The post “Finally One Boxer Being Real and Not Delusional” – Fans’ Respect for Dmitry Bivol Just Doubled After Khabib Nurmagomedov Remark appeared first on EssentiallySports.