Conor McGregor’s name at this point has become near synonymous the UFC. His millions of Irish fans and fans from all across the world have become enchanted by his charisma, his showmanship and his fan-friendly fighting style. Just this last weekend, McGregor made history by becoming the first man to ever hold two UFC world titles simultaneously.
McGregor, the current UFC featherweight champion, needed just under a little more than one round to knock out Eddie Alvarez in spectacular fashion, to capture the UFC lightweight world title. He was quick, powerful and dominant in victory.
Many have argued that McGregor could actually be the greatest Mixed Martial Artist of all time. While the opinion differs from person to person, there is no denying that he is at the very least in the top three pound-for-pound MMA fighters right now. With the absence of Jon Jones on the list, some say McGregor is number one.
What’s Next For Conor McGregor?
After Alvarez, fans are left wondering which direction McGregor will take next. Will he finally defend his featherweight title against Jose Aldo? Will he take on a high-risk, low-reward kind of opponent in Khabib Nurmagomedov? Will he go crazy and challenge UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley for a third title in as many divisions?
No one seems to have any clue.
But one fight, no matter how absurd, remains out there as an option for McGregor — a cross-sport bout against boxing’s pound-for-pound king Floyd “Money” Mayweather.
Both McGregor and Mayweather have thrown verbal jabs at each other in the past, with Mayweather even early this year saying he was indeed trying to return to the ring for his 50th professional bout. McGregor had been singled out as an opponent.
Big Money Fight
Mayweather is without a doubt the highest paid professional boxer in history. He makes a minimum of $25-million per fight. Against Manny Pacquiao last year, Mayweather made a rumored $200-million in a single night.
McGregor is of course the highest earning UFC fighter period. He has made the most money out of any MMA fighter in the world and is undoubtedly MMA’s biggest star. No one even comes close.
Due to boxing and MMA being completely different sports, could the Mayweather-McGregor fight ever become a reality? There’s no way to really answer that question.
At the very least however, both Mayweather and McGregor have kept fans interested in the fight by constantly feuding through the media.
Recently, McGregor appeared at 1 OAK nightclub in New York and said Mayweather didn’t want a “real fight” in the DJ booth. TMZ got a hold of the footage.
McGregor Doesn’t Believe Mayweather Actually Wants To Fight
“Floyd’s not ready for this. Much respect to Floyd. He’s a solid businessman on what he’s been able to do. He’s a f**king animal at what he’s been able to do. But as far as real fighting, as far as true pure unarmed combat, Floyd don’t want none of this,” said McGregor.
“He wants a boxing match, he doesn’t want a fight. I want a $100-million cash to fight him under boxing rules. He’s afraid of a real fight.”
MMA fighters and boxers have fought before, sometimes in the boxing ring and sometimes in the cage. But never have two of the best in their respective sports ever actually thrown down. Mayweather and McGregor are in the unique opportunity to make that fight happen.
If a Mayweather-McGregor fight should come to fruition, it would shatter every financial record there is for combat sports. It will bring in both boxing fans and MMA fans, no matter how absurd the idea of this fight actually is.
Money talks. And since both Mayweather and McGregor are all about the Benjamins, chances are they are trying their best to make this fight a reality.
