Ex-UFC fighters continue to prove that there is life outside of MMA’s premier promotion.
One-time welterweight title challenger Darren Till knocked out Anthony Taylor to continue his post-UFC boxing career in January.
Elsewhere, there’s a bunch of former UFC stars making big money with Conor McGregor‘s Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, including Eddie Alvarez and Jeremy Stephens, who went to war earlier this year.
Tyson Pedro retired from MMA 11 months ago – now he’s transitioned to boxing like many of his ex-colleagues.
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Tyson Pedro wins boxing debut with big knockout
Named after Mike Tyson, Pedro put on a performance the boxing legend would be proud of in his ring debut.
The 33-year-old squared off against 15-0 prospect Taimoor Khan, who knocked out 13 of his opponents before taking on the former UFC star in a WBC international bridgerweight title fight in Penrith, Australia.
Pedro dominated from the opening bell before showing his mean streak to close the show in round 7.
A vicious right hand left Khan out on his feet before he was bundled to the floor with several follow-up shots to the head and body.
The fight was waved off by the referee, without a count, as soon as Pedro’s opponent hit the canvas
“This is the smallest crowd I’ve fought in front of in a long time, but it’s the biggest fight of my life. Thank you everyone for f—— coming,” Pedro said during a post-fight interview with Stan Sport.
“The journey we are going on is supposed to be and looked at as impossible … thank you to everyone that supported and believed in me.
“You have no idea how hard this is and now I want to make it my mission to represent Australia and my culture on the world stage for my family. I know I looked pretty calm, but I haven’t slept in a while, there has been pressure.
“Everyone said I was crazy for leaving the UFC, so now to do it … I’m so proud of myself. I went through hell to get here, I’m pretty overwhelmed at the moment and I’ll probably go and cry up in the room in a minute.”
Why did Tyson Pedro retire from MMA?
Pedro retired from MMA with a 10-5 professional record following a unanimous decision loss to Vitor Petrino at UFC Vegas 87 in March 2024.
After kicking off his UFC run with massive back-to-back wins over Khalil Rountree Jr. and Paul Craig, the Aussie fan favorite went 4-5 inside the Octagon before bringing his MMA career to a premature end.
So, why did he retire? Pedro says his decision was motivated by family and financial considerations.
“You put in all the costs, put on the cost to my family, I probably just can’t do it anymore,” he told reporters during his UFC Vegas 87 post-fight press conference.
“With the deductions and the loss of the fight tonight, I’m probably going to have to rob someone in the car park. So if anyone’s got any money on them. Who’s got the most on them?”
Pedro added: “It’s been on my mind a little bit lately. Mainly, I’ve just been away from my daughter. I’ve been away probably 12 months in the last two and a half years from my wife and baby. That’s obviously my choice going over to New Zealand [to train]. I know that’s where I’m going to be the best mixed martial artist.
“It’s more a family thing, definitely. I’ve got a change of dreams, so if I’m going to do that, I might as well spend it with my daughter. Who knows, you might see me on the Australian circuit, but that’s it for me for MMA.”