Anthony Joshua Opens Up on the Possibility of Fighting in MMA

JAKARTA - Two-time unified heavyweight boxing world champion Anthony Joshua has opened up the possibility of fighting in the mixed martial arts (MMA) discipline before deciding to retire from the fighting world.

The Watford-born boxer is no stranger to cross-discipline fights. Two years ago, he successfully knocked out former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in the boxing ring with a second-round knockout (KO) in their duel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Joshua said he was interested in trying mixed martial arts before retiring because many MMA fighters had tried their luck in boxing, so it was interesting for boxers to do the opposite.

"Trust me, I was thinking, why don't I go into one of their territories because they keep coming into our territory," Joshua told Ring Magazine.

Interest in the interdisciplinary fight reached its peak last month when kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven almost knocked out undisputed three-time heavyweight boxing world champion Oleksandr Usyk in a fight at the Giza Pyramids, Egypt.

At that time, Rico who did not excel was able to make a surprise by appearing dominant. The fighter from the Netherlands then staggered in the 11th round before the referee stopped the match controversially so that Usyk won by TKO.

"MMA and kickboxing athletes are not amateurs. They are really experienced fighters. So, it would be interesting if one of us entered that world and saw how it goes there," said Joshua.

Joshua has not fought since beating Jake Paul late last year. He was then involved in a tragic car crash after which two close friends died.

Joshua is currently back in regular training and ready to take on his next fight. He is scheduled to meet Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on July 25, 2026.