WATCH: Former heavyweight boxing world champion faces off against Rampage Jackson: 'There's nothing I can do'

Since the early days of boxing and mixed martial arts, fans have debated which fighting style is better and who would win if the two were to face off. Riddick Bowe He seemed to get his answer when he faced off against the former UFC light heavyweight champion. Quinton Rampage Jackson.

Bowe was one of the best heavyweights in his prime. Evander Holyfield One of the unforgettable trilogies of the 1990s, this one saw “Big Daddy” Bowe suffer his first professional defeat, but he dominated Holyfield in the other two bouts and ultimately came out on top. But can he beat the MMA fighter? Based on footage of his altercation with “Rampage” Jackson shared on social media today, it looks like Bowe thinks he can!

'Rampage' Jackson explains why MMA isn't part of the Olympics

Jackson and Bow have maintained a friendly relationship over the years and have been spotted together on numerous occasions, so it's not all that surprising that the two started bashing each other while dining at a restaurant. In the video shared by Bow, Jackson can be heard saying: “I said, MMA fighters are the only people boxers won't touch.”

One might argue that the issue is that in a fight, it's all about who is the better fighter, regardless of training history. But what about Bowe? No, he didn't believe that! In response to Jackson's apparent criticism, Bowe said: “I told you boxers shouldn't mess with MMA fighters. [I am] It's bothering you and there's nothing you can do about it.”

When “Big Daddy” called him out, Jackson didn't hold back. He detailed why he thinks MMA is the best. Boxing, he said, is bound by a ton of rules. But what about MMA? It's the closest thing to a real fight, he argued. And here's the kicker: Jackson argued that MMA isn't in the Olympics because it lacks skill or strategy, but because it's simply too brutal for the general public to embrace.

Hearing this, Bou was forced to reply: “Guess what? I was doing mixed martial arts…” It was to intimidate Jackson. Jackson didn't tolerate Bowe's challenge. He fought back, asking what Bowe was doing while he was busy honing his MMA skills. It was a bold move, and it put the spotlight back on Bowe and his dedication to the sport. To which Bowe simply replied: “I was fighting, I was doing everything…” While it's unclear if Bowe has dabbled in mixed martial arts, one thing is certain: his involvement with Muay Thai is no secret.

Riddick Bowe: His failed relationship with Muay Thai

Retirement hasn't always been a smooth transition for the former world champion. Jean Puccal In 2008, Bowe made boxing history by defeating Evander Holyfield to become the undefeated heavyweight champion, but in June 2013 he decided to retire from boxing and enter the world of Muay Thai. Refgen Golovin The bout, which took place in Pattaya, Thailand, marked a bold new chapter in his martial arts journey.

What a harsh awakening! The 45-year-old Bowe was in a serious fight with the 30-year-old Russian, and things didn't go his way. Bowe went down to the mat a whopping five times in the second round of what was supposed to be a three-round brawl before the referee called the bout off. Ouch. After receiving multiple kicks to the shins, Bowe said in an interview: “My leg still hurts. I don't know how long it's been, maybe fifteen minutes?” Bowe didn't give up despite the beating, or at least that's what he said, but he never fought in kickboxing again.

While Riddick Bowe and “Rampage” Jackson may not have settled the debate over whose style is better, it's good to see the boxing legend still in action, but the million-dollar question remains: is mixed martial arts better than boxing?