Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. today announced Mike Tyson will headline “The Art of Fighting” panel presented by TEKKEN™ 8™ at San Diego Comic-Con 2023. The boxing legend is joined by Cris Cyborg, MMA’s only Grand Slam Champion, and WWE Superstar Xavier Woods a.k.a. Austin Creed along with TEKKEN™ game director Katsuhiro Harada and producer Michael Murray, with moderation by esports personality Alex “Goldenboy” Mendez. “Tekken 8: The Art of Fighting” is scheduled to take place on Friday, July 21, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. PDT at the San Diego Convention Center (Room 6BCF). 

The TEKKEN 8 panel at SDCC brings together real world fighting and entertainment fighting worlds to discuss shared themes and look at how fight techniques have evolved, changing how fighting is portrayed in games. One of the standout features in the TEKKEN franchise is a roster of fighters with diverse styles based on more than 21 actual martial arts. TEKKEN 8 is bringing these legendary characters’ moves to life like never before, from Bryan Fury’s kickboxing and Hwoarang’s Taekwondo to King’s long-running love song to pro-wrestling and Lucha Libre.

Panelists will share personal stories from their professional careers looking at what led each of them to embrace fighting and their experience with fight culture in games and entertainment. Known for their real fighting bona fides, Tyson and Woods bring game cred to the panel. Tyson is a part of video game history, as one of the first pro athletes to become the face of a fighting game, and Woods is host of the popular YouTube channel “UpUpDownDown,” with more than 2.4 million subscribers. Cyborg is considered one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. She is the current Featherweight champ in the Bellator Women’s Championship and the only fighter ever to win the MMA Grand Slam. Together with TEKKEN director Harada and producer Murray, and with shout caster Goldenboy guiding the conversation, the panel is sure to lead to unforgettable fight stories and unmissable moments.

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is featuring an immersive TEKKEN 8 installation during San Diego Comic-Con with artwork, a non-alcoholic beverage station, DJ, cosplayers, temporary tattoos, playable stations, and more. The TEKKEN 8 activation takes place July 20-23 at the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center located at 200 W Harbor Drive (Suite 120).