Andre Berto wants to compete in the UFC: ‘Dana White, call me!’

[La Paix]

It appears as if welterweight (147 lbs) boxing contender Andre Berto is serious about a switch to MMA.

Berto spoke with TMZ following Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor, and when asked if he wanted to call out any MMA fighters, he went as far as to say he wants a UFC contract right now.

“I want all of ‘em!” Berto said. “Dana White, you know me, you know my family’s been in MMA for a while, I’m coming to the UFC so Dana White, call me! Tell Dana to call me. I’ll go to the UFC.

Former world boxing champion Andre Berto wants to compete in the UFC: ‘Dana White, call me!’ - Bloody Elbow

 

[sparkuri]

I believe this is the caliber of athlete the UFC began looking for originally, and from this fans perspective, is far more interesting than the thousands upon thousands of "good" mma prospects loaded on nearly every card.

 

[Yossarian]

Don't know this guy but good for him.

 

[La Paix]

I believe this is the caliber of athlete the UFC began looking for originally, and from this fans perspective, is far more interesting than the thousands upon thousands of "good" mma prospects loaded on nearly every card.

Haven't seen him fight. I hope he'd have more to offer than Phil Brooks though.

 

[ECC170]

His brother edson was a solid mma fighter

 

[The Big Guy]

 

[The Big Guy]

Berto would do well to get a few fights outside first. Jumping straight in is gonna be hard hopefully they throw him a striker first time out otherwise it will be a short night

 

[Wild]

Berto would do well to get a few fights outside first. Jumping straight in is gonna be hard hopefully they throw him a striker first time out otherwise it will be a short night

This but anyone with name value (Punk, Betro, etc) wants to go right into the UFC...and the UFC takes em for $$. Maybe he has some ground game and they can give him a couple of Contender Series guys to get him started?

 

[La Paix]

Berto would do well to get a few fights outside first. Jumping straight in is gonna be hard hopefully they throw him a striker first time out otherwise it will be a short night

The guys in his mid 30s with lots of real combat experience. I doubt his goal is to take a long hard path to a title fight. He's got a following I'm sure and name recognition and I'm sure somewhere in the 500+ UFC roster there's guys at his weight that would be good to build him off.

 

[SongExotic2]

UFC should create a 147lbs division

 

[member 603]

They train in the Orlando area, Edson and their sister both fought MMA (I think I saw her on a local card a couple of years ago)... Hell I'll reach out to him myself and train him in his ground game if he's serious, his striking is legit.

 

[Robbie Hart]

UFC should create a 147lbs division

This

 

[kneeblock]

Bellator against Aaron Pico seems like a good idea.

 

[La Paix]

Bellator against Aaron Pico seems like a good idea.

Would be a through back style vs style fight, I like it.

 

[Priziesthorse]

His dad fought in one of the alternate bouts at UFC 10.

 

[KWingJitsu]

That's what I'm talking about.
May not be known to casuals, but this thread already shows the hardcores know who he is.
The UFC hype machine can play it as "The last man to fight (lose to) Mayweather before the epic McGregor fight! Now in the UFC!!!!"
Or some shit. I can do the marketing for this one in my sleep. Dana, call me (- you bald headed fuck).

 

[sparkuri]

The guys in his mid 30s with lots of real combat experience. I doubt his goal is to take a long hard path to a title fight. He's got a following I'm sure and name recognition and I'm sure somewhere in the 500+ UFC roster there's guys at his weight that would be good to build him off.

This.
He's a former 2x world champion who's fought the best.
Putting him with anyone to "build him up" is ridiculous.
It'd be almost as disrespectful as putting Fedor on TUF.
If Dana & WME don't want to give him a credible money fight and fair promotion, it's better not to insult him.
He can still make money in his own craft.
After Mcgregor/Mayweather, if the UFC wants to make a statement and some dough keeping all parties happy, give him a good stylistic matchup against a well known high level featherweight/lightweight.
Come to think about it, proper promotion of an Andre Berto - Jose Aldo fight might be just what the Dr. ordered.

 

[kneeblock]

Berto isn't that great of a boxer and also has a PEDs past. He's going to want at least 2-3 million to get in the cage if he does it, so I doubt this will happen.

We can still dream about what would've been with Kermit Cintron.

 

[tang]

Andre is the right guy to cross over. His dad Dieuseul (Tiger) Berto fought Geza Kalman in UFC 10, although dad has a losing record of 0-3, his bro Edson was a pretty successful MMA fighter who competed in Bellator, Strikeforce, EliteXC, and other organiations. I believe Andre's sister is a MMA fighter too.

 

[Gay For Longo]

Berto would do well to get a few fights outside first. Jumping straight in is gonna be hard hopefully they throw him a striker first time out otherwise it will be a short night

Dennis siver anybody?

 

[The EZ Life]

any fighter in the ufc would be out of their mind to stand with him instead of take him down right away.


even if they are better at striking than wrestling... boxing wins fights in the stand up most of the time. Well so do kicks in the stand up but you don't win in the stand up without throwing punches

 

[The Big Guy]

Dennis siver anybody?

I was thinking bj penn

 

[Nemo?]

His brother edson was a solid mma fighter

He was shutting down Mr thugjitsu until the highlight reel epic KO.

Kinda fell off after that...I thought he was UFC bound.

 

[Papi Chingon]

If danus gets a legit boxer, he doesn't seem like the type of guy who would want them to have a chance. He wants to prove his brand is the ultimate form of fighting. Had he wanted to make money off of someone with name recognition, he would have matched James toney up with a stand up fighter, not randy couture. Had he matched James toney up with someone who was a striker, and didn't shoot for the takedown right away, there was money to make there off of second and potentially third fights. Instead of attempting to create something people would pay to see (like baby doll sage strategy), he set him up to fail, and avoided cashing in.

 

[Sheepdog]

This but anyone with name value (Punk, Betro, etc) wants to go right into the UFC...and the UFC takes em for $$. Maybe he has some ground game and they can give him a couple of Contender Series guys to get him started?

Berto does not have significant name value. Look at how many PPVs he did against Mayweather.

So he is the wrong mix - too used to getting paid well, and not worth it for U Fight Cheap to open the check book out for.