VITOR BELFORT is attempting to combine boxing and MMA to create a new sport and has challenged Canelo Avarez to fight according to the all-new rules.
The Brazilian held the UFC Light-Heavyweight Title in 2004. He used his boxing skills and jiujitsu to become an accomplished MMA legend.
Vitor Belfort would like to combine boxing and MMA rules
In 2018, he left the UFC and will be back in a boxing match against Evander Holyfield (58), on Saturday night.
Belfort is now officially 1-0 after his 2006 fight. He has a vision to combine his two passions.
It would allow for clinching in a fight but not MMA strikes like kicks, elbows, or knees.
Belfort believes that it brings together the two sports and creates more super-crossover fights between stars from the different codes.
SunSport was informed by him that the future of combat sports lies in the merging of these two incredible combat sports.
"We are currently boxing according to boxing rules. I accept that. In the future, however, I would like to combine boxing and the martial arts aspects.
"There are so many men out there, you can name it, tons champions, and my goal to merge is to be the best.
"I would like to call it Box Martial Arts. If they are brave enough, I don’t want kicks. I don’t want knees. I don’t want elbows.
"I don’t want it to fall to the floor. I want to be in a position to hold and box you and to be able fight in the clinch. I want to see if they are able to survive that.
"And that's the reason I want to merge. I believe I can beat anyone, in any division of boxing with these rules."
Former champions of the UFC, such as Belfort (44), Conor McGregor (33) and Anderson Silva (46) have all made it to the ring.
Boxers have been much less likely to enter the cage, with Claressa Shields (26), and James Toney (53), the most prominent.
Belfort believes that his new merger will create a more level playing field and give MMA fighters more freedom in the ring.
He stated, "It's literally like bringing what my entire life has been for, evolving boxing to my sport.
It's boxing-martial art. There are so many rules in boxing that you can't follow. I'd love to see if someone can box with me using these rules.
"I call it "evening the ground a bit", not with kicks, but with punches, and that's where you can challenge anyone in the entire boxing world."
Belfort believes his plan is revolutionary and is keen to test it against Canelo, the current boxing top attraction.
He stated, "It's like finding gold, there are so many good men out there.
"Canelo the one, champions against champions, legends and legends.
