Morning Report | Anthony Joshua teases MMA move: ‘Why don’t I step over’

Anthony Joshua has sparked fresh speculation about a potential move into mixed martial arts, echoing a trend of combat sports crossovers. Speaking on the Mr Verzace podcast, the heavyweight boxing champion suggested he might follow fighters who have transitioned from boxing and kickboxing into the UFC octagon. "Why don't I step over into one of their territories because they keep on coming to our territory?" Joshua said, noting that MMA competitors and kickboxers are elite athletes worthy of respect and that a crossover could represent compelling business.

Joshua's flirtation with an MMA transition gains context from his recent knockout victory over Jake Paul and his earlier dominant win against UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou in March 2024, when Ngannou ventured into professional boxing for only his second bout and was brutally stopped in two rounds. The boxing star also referenced kickboxing as a potential crossover destination, particularly after GLORY champion Rico Verhoeven faced pound-for-pound boxing sensation Oleksandr Usyk in a 2026 crossover bout that ended controversially in Round 11.

Joshua emphasized that any MMA move would require heavyweight compensation and a marquee opponent to justify the risk, yet acknowledged boxing's standing as "the pinnacle of combat sport." He cited cautionary tales like James Toney, whose UFC debut against Randy Couture ended in swift submission, though he balanced that against Holly Holm's success as a former boxing champion who captured UFC bantamweight gold by defeating Ronda Rousey and competed in multiple title fights. Joshua's comments suggest the possibility of more established combat athletes testing themselves across disciplines, though the financial and competitive gaps between sports remain substantial.