UFC president Dana White gave a priceless reaction to hearing Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr are NOT allowed to knock each other out.
The Baddest Man on the Planet, 54, steps back in the ring this weekend for the first time in 15 years against Roy Jones Jr.
The pair – with a combined age of 105 – are set to do battle in an eight-round exhibition bout at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
But when MMA guru White was informed by journalists after UFC 255 that for an exhibition fight KO’s are deemed ‘too dangerous’ and the scrap would instead be referred to as ‘heavy sparring’ – he couldn’t hide his disbelief.
As reported by talkSPORT, White banged his head on the table and laughed at the unusual rules for a high profile fight.
He said: “There’s no knockouts? They’re not allowed to knock each other out? How do you enforce that?
“I’d like to bet that doesn’t happen. Can you bet on that?! Oh s***! You can’t even bet on this fight?
“I did not know that. I don’t even know what to say to that.”
Iron Mike was famed for his fearsome knockouts during his heavyweight career – finishing 44 of his 50 wins inside the distance.
And despite his age the veteran has got himself in incredible shape for the contest – losing SIX stone for the clash.
The California State Commission, who are in charge of the fight, have decided it isn’t about delivering a brutal KO blow but rather a showcase for ‘exhibiting’ skills.
The pair will wear heavier 12-ounce gloves for the eight two-minute rounds in the headline bout on a busy undercard.
But the contest will be stopped inside the distance if either fighter can’t continue.
And California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Forster said: “Tyson and Jones Jr. won’t be wearing headgear for the fight.
“They’ll be lacing up 12-ounce gloves and there won’t be any judges present at the fight to score the action.
“So, technically, there won’t be a winner unless a knockout somehow occurs, or either fighter is deemed unfit to continue.
“They can move around and make some money, but I told them if you get cut, it’s over.”
