Australian boxing champion Vic Darchinyan has confirmed he will take up mixed martial arts (MMA) next year.
Darchinyan, who takes on Panama’s Anselmo Moreno in California on Sunday (AEDT) for the World Boxing Association bantamweight super championship, says he will not be quitting boxing.
The fearless 35-year-old will pursue both MMA and boxing world title fights in 2012.
“It is 100 per cent I am going to have an MMA fight next year,” Darchinyan told AAP.
Darchinyan’s US promoter Gary Shaw announced his champ’s cage fighting plans at a press conference in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, to promote the WBA bout with Moreno.
Darchinyan, a two-division boxing world champion born and raised in Armenia, grew up wrestling in his former homeland.
The bout with Moreno will be held at the Honda Center, an indoor stadium home to the National Hockey League’s Anaheim Ducks.
The fight will be broadcast live on 7Mate on free to air television.
Ross
Guest
I dont like this idea- say it aint so Vic- they are two different sports & you'll will tarnish your image mate if you cop a hiding.
*
Guest
gary, one of the dying breed of fans that refuses to give in
*
Guest
i really is a different sport. different stance. different defence. mma is less about points and more about dominance. vic needs to be a very very good wrestler to prevent going to the ground. and dabbling in armenia may not be enough. that said he is a champ. knows work ethic. def has the fitness and punching power. will be good to see. he won't get a title shotfor UFC. he would get a tourny shot in bellator. perhaps a gig in ONE.
Willem
Guest
It'll be interesting to see more about his grappling background. It's hard to see whether there's much submission wrestling in Armenia.
Wylie
Guest
Garry - perhaps google MMA and then reconsider your post.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Not convinced you know much about MMA, Gary. Wrestling is another thing altogether.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Darchinyan is mad, he is a wealthy man and one of the best fighters going around why get into this type of circus, "MONEY" that's the reason, nothing else. It's sad whn you have to resort to animalistic behaviour and circus performing to make a quid. Stay with the noble art of boxing Vic and have some decency. Next they'll have you biting a scratching each other like sheilas or mud wrestling so they can scream at you behind the cage wall. Silly stupid behaviour not unlike a Hollywood movie or World Championship wrestling. What a joke that is. Imagine Vic Darchinyan V The Rock how stupid would this be.