Tuesday 8 December 2015 22:41, UK
Tyson Fury believes he is "the best combat fighter on the planet" and is open to the idea of facing top MMA stars.
The Mancunian (25-0-KO18) won the WBA, WBO and IBF world heavyweight titles by outpointing Wladimir Klitschko on October 28 and is already thinking of proving himself against fighters outside of boxing.
In 2013, Fury challenged UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez and now - although he has reiterated he is not interested in 'taking it to the floor' - remains interested in the possibility of taking on MMA's best under rules that promote the 'striking' aspects of the sports.
"I think MMA is for people who can't box, basically," Fury told The MMA Hour. "That's just my opinion on that. It's not really entertaining for me. The only time it's entertaining is when they stand up and punch each other. That's what I think fans like as well.
"I don't think anyone likes to see people roll about the floor. I think people want to see the stand-up punching. Even the referee when they're on the floor to get up, get into it. I think I speak on behalf of a lot of people that the best parts of MMA is when they're standing up and trading punches.
Anytime, any place, anywhere you want me to fight their heavyweight champion, no problem. Let's sort it out, sort out a bit of a hybrid fight and move on.
"I'm the heavyweight champion on the world in boxing and I'd like to unify and switch. I'd like to fight the UFC heavyweight champion. I've been calling Cain Velasquez out for two years and then he got beaten, so it showed you what I said was about right.
"I just want to fight the best, the best stand-up fighter in the world. Whoever is the best stand-up fighter in the world, I want to fight him because I believe I'm that man. I don't care if he wants to kick, whatever he wants to do. We can have an all-in fight because I believe I'm the best combat fighter on the planet.
"Yes, I believe [UFC president] Dana White knows about me challenging Cain Velasquez out, for many times. He made quite a few comments on it. Dana White's quite a big boxing fan.
"But like I said, anytime, any place, anywhere you want me to fight their heavyweight champion, no problem. Let's sort it out, sort out a bit of a hybrid fight and move on."
Fury is contractually obliged to face Klitschko (64-4-KO53) in a rematch as it stands and has already been called out by current WBC champion Deontay Wilder, while rising star Anthony Joshua has also stated he believes he has what it takes to take his belts.
You can see Joshua take on bitter rival Dillian Whyte exclusively live on Sky Sports Box Office, December 12 - now available to order via your Sky remote or online.
