Boxing great Mike Tyson unveiled as 'EA Sports UFC 2' playable character

Former boxing great and celebrity MMA fan Mike Tyson will be a playable character in the new release of the UFC’s popular video game.

EA Sports executives today announced Tyson will be an unlockable fighter in the game, “EA Sports UFC 2,” which comes out March 15.

According to the announcement:

Fans who pre-order EA SPORTS UFC 2 will get instant day-one access to Tyson, and all players can unlock him by progressing in the game and making it to the Hall of Fame in Career Mode. The former undisputed heavyweight boxing champion of the world packs the strongest punching power of any fighter in the game and will fight across two different weight classes: light heavyweight and heavyweight.

Two versions of Tyson are coming to the game: “Iron” Mike Tyson based on his climb to stardom and string of invincible fights in the eighties; and “Legacy” Mike Tyson, developed with the end of his illustrious career in mind. Fans who pre-order the standard edition of EA SPORTS UFC 2 will get day-one access to “Iron” Mike Tyson. Those who opt for the Deluxe Edition will receive both “Iron” Mike as well as “Legacy” Mike Tyson. Both versions are available to unlock by progressing in the game.

“As a huge fan, I’m honored to be part of EA Sports and explore the world of mixed martial arts,” Tyson stated. “I follow UFC very closely, and it’s going to be very cool to see how I would stack up against these amazing MMA athletes.”

Tyson, 49, became an undisputed world boxing champion before his 21st birthday and was one of iconic sports figures of the 1980s and 1990s. His highlight-reel knockouts – he posted 44 of them in 50 career wins – are the stuff of legend.

In recent years, he’s struck up a relationship with UFC President Dana White and other UFC executives, and he’s a frequent cageside spectator at events.

For more on the video game, check out:

• MMAjunkie goes hands on with ‘EA UFC 2,’ a vastly improved gaming experience
• New trailer, March release date announced for EA Sports UFC 2
• With title win, Conor McGregor shares ‘EA Sports UFC 2’ cover with Ronda Rousey

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.