![[WATCH] That Time Mike Tyson Did A BJJ Armbar In A Boxing Match](https://www.bjjee.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mike-Tyson-armbar-in-a-boxing-match.jpg)
Did you know that Mike Tyson once attempted to break Francois Botha’s arm during their boxing match?
The incident in question saw Tyson going for a very dangerous Armbar technique (which might be familiar to you from elsewhere), refusing to release Botha’s arm.
Botha recounted the event to the New York Times:
Mike grabbed my arm, he was trying to break my arm, to twist my arm.
And what did Tyson respond to those allegations?
Well…
He’s correct.
Marc Ratner, the commission’s executive director at the time, expressed his concern – instructing referee Richard Steele to maintain control and prevent a disqualification:
I told Richard Steele: “This is your fight. Take control. Take points away.”
He went to each corner and told them: “We don’t want a DQ here.”
Despite winning the fight, Tyson himself admitted it wasn’t his best performance:
I’m a little embarrassed. I wanted to shine tonight.
It takes time. Rome wasn’t built in a day… I’ve got to improve a lot more. I’ve got a long way to go.I wasn’t worried. I knew I was going to knock him out.
It was just a matter of time.
Check out the Armbar attempt on the video below:
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