‘He’s willing to train me’ – Tyson Fury has discussed coaching link up with Conor McGregor

Tyson Fury has hinted he could explore the world of MMA when he is finished with WWE.

The former world heavyweight champion follows the likes of Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather into the wrestling ring before October is done.

The 31-year-old undefeated heavyweight boxer is currently preparing to take on Braun Strowman at WWE’s Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

Once he leaves the land of Hulk Hogan, The Rock and John Cena, the last fighter to hold the Irish heavyweight title, should then return to boxing where it’s said he will rematch WBC world champ Deontay Wilder around February time.

However, when speaking to Sky Sports this week Fury suggested MMA could be next and that he may learn the tricks of a different trade under the guidance of former Crumlin BC amateur Conor McGregor.

“I’ve got something big coming up after this. Even more bigger than this. We might see Tyson Fury have his MMA debut this year, too,” Fury said. “It’s different but like I said, Tyson Fury taking over.”

According to Fury, he’s been in contact with former two-division UFC champion McGregor, who was linked to a boxing fight with Luke Keeler recently- and the pair have talked positively with regard to teaming up.

“I’ve been speaking to Conor about it. He’s willing to train me and it’s going to be good,” Fury added.

“He just said any time you’re ready, when you get the time, let’s go. Come over to Dublin and we’ll start training. So can’t wait, going to take him up on the offer. Who knows we might be on a double header. “The Gypsy King” and Conor McGregor.”

James Toney’s move to MMA wasn’t too successful, but in recent years Holly Holm, Heather Hardy and to a lesser extent McGregor have crossed over with good success.

Fury is adamant he would make the transition with ease and would have no issue with changing code.

“I come from a long line of bare knuckle boxing champions. Getting hurt, getting bloody, you saw in my last fight blood everywhere. Nothing new to me,” Fury said.

“All part of my heritage and upbringing and I’d love to get in there and smash someone up.”

Putting the names of Fury and McGregor side by side is always going to grab headlines. Indeed, that’s more than likely the reason the heavyweight mentioned the Dubliner.

Talk of moving to MMA should be taken with a lorry load of salt. Firstly Fury has a contract with Top Rank and ESPN and neither of those parties would allow it. Also he has natural boxing rivals that could generate him the kind of money UFC super star McGregor had to move to boxing to get. Not to mention despite his reputation as a loud mouth clown, Fury is a boxing historian and it is more than possible he has his sights set on a ‘one of the all time greats’ legacy, something a move to MMA may hamper.