Mayweather vs. McGregor: 30 other sport crossovers we’d like to see
23. Metta World Peace/Ron Artest in the UFC
This crossover attempt is probably too little, too late at this point in the game, considering how long it’s been since the historic brawl at The Palace at Auburn Hills back in 2004. Either way, it doesn’t make it any less appealing to want to see Ron Artest, or Metta World Peace as he is now known, in the Octagon.
Artest made quite the name for himself on the basketball court throughout his career, mainly for his skills when it comes to actually playing the sport. He won an NBA Finals with the Los Angeles Lakers, was a key piece of multiple rosters throughout his run and was an entertaining player to watch. However, his most memorable moment has nothing to do with his play, but rather with some punches that he threw off of the court.
The incident is one of the craziest moments in basketball history, and Artest got into it with both players and fans throughout the brawl before eventually getting stopped. Now, it’s time to put those skills to the test, but against someone expecting a punch or a kick, and someone trained to actually stop them and fight back.
The UFC would be an incredible place for Artest to land, even if just for a night, and he’d be an entertaining draw if he were to walk out for an event at some poin the future. Who wouldn’t want to watch a guy with a name like Metta World Peace compete in the UFC, and walk into the Octagon before throwing some serious haymakers like he did on that night in Michigan way back in 2004.
It’s likely impossible, but we’d love to see this former NBA star throw some punches in a UFC fight before he gets too old to do so.