Fan faces murder charge after allegedly shooting friend over MMA vs. boxing argument

MMA vs. boxing debates have been a part of combat sports conversations ever since the inception of mixed martial arts, with the younger of the two. While it often leads to hilarious banter, one particular debate had some dire consequences last night in Phoenix, Arizona.

As per local outlet AZ Family, Cameron Drake has been accused of shooting and killing his friend Dylan Forbes over an MMA vs. boxing argument. Drake and Forbes, both 24, were arguing in a car near 60th Street and Acoma Drive before the shooting, which happened around 9 p.m.

A third-person driving in the backseat jumped out of the car in the immediate aftermath of the incident and called 911. The unnamed person said that he was trying to de-escalate an MMA vs. boxing debate when Drake pulled out a handgun and shot Forbes "for no reason."

Drake also called 911, reportedly claiming to have shot someone in self defense. As per court documents, Drake told the police that Forbes had pointed a gun at him after being asked to get out of the car following an argument. Drake claims to have shot Forbes when he was looking the other way.

While the police also found a gun on Forbes' lap, they believe that it was placed after the shooting.

---

Important MMA vs. Boxing fights in history

Crossover superfights have been in demand since Conor McGregor's 2017 clash against Floyd Mayweather. Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou even vacated his title and left the promotion presumably to pursue a boxing crossover fight against heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

While MMA vs. boxing crossovers may be in demand today, they have long been a part of combat sports history. Muhammad Ali faced professional wrestler Antonio Inoki in 1976 in a crossover fight that is considered to be a precursor to modern MMA. The exhibition bout was ruled a draw after Inoki spent almost the entire fight on his back, firing leg kicks as Ali unsuccessfully beckoned him to get up.

Catch the highlights below:

Former Olympic and WBO heavyweight champion Ray Mercer took on former UFC heavyweight champ Tim Sylvia in an MMA clash in 2009. Mercer battered the visibly washed-out Sylvia and sent him crashing to the canvas in nine seconds.

Catch the highlights below:

While there have been several other crossover fights in history, the biggest event for the MMA vs. boxing debate was Conor McGregor's clash against Floyd Mayweather in 2017. Mayweather scored a tenth-round TKO win over McGregor, proving that boxers are conditioned to go longer while MMA is a short-burst game.