Joe Rogan Says MMA Fight Against CM Punk Would Make More Sense For Mayweather Than Conor McGregor…
Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been doing his best to stir up UFC fans of late. He’s posted videos on Instagram of him walking into an MMA style cage resulting in great excitement. The 50-0 boxing legend also put up a doctored image of him elbowing rival Conor McGregor in the face while wearing MMA gloves.
All of this has raised a lot of questions. The main one being: is this 40-year-old billionaire seriously considering entering the cage for real? If UFC president Dana White and lightweight champion Conor McGregor have their way he will. It would without a doubt be incredibly lucrative but is it really feasible?
Joe Rogan doesn’t think so. The long-time UFC commentator and professional comedian addressed the notion of Mayweather fighting under MMA rules on his wildly popular MMA Podcast. Speaking to former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub, he raised the idea of CM Punk as a potential opponent rather than Conor McGregor.
No Chance
Rogan dismissed Mayweather’s chances against ‘the Notorious’. He said:
“Conor’s going to kick his (expletive) legs out; he doesn’t have any chance. Then if he decides to shoot in and clinch, he’s going to clinch and he’s going to rag doll him.”
One of McGregor’s main claims following his defeat in his original meeting with McGregor was that if this was a ‘real fight’, he would have destroyed Mayweather. The American isn’t getting any younger. Even though he remains in phenomenal condition there is a ticking clock on how long he has left to train in MMA to a competitive standard.
Makes Sense
However, Rogan raised an interesting alternative as a possibility to fight Mayweather. Phil Brooks, AKA CM Punk has been loud about his desire to fight a second a second time in the UFC. He was of course soundly beaten by Mickey Gall on his octagon debut. However, Rogan thinks it makes sense.
Mayweather’s uncle Jeff raised the possibility in a recent video interview that CM Punk could be a potential opponent. Rogan agrees that on paper it seems ludicrous but in the crazy world of MMA does that matter?
“CM Punk is a guy who was wrestling at like 190 pounds, cut weight to get to 170 to fight in the UFC,” said Rogan. “He’s not on anything. I’m pretty sure, at least according to everyone I’ve talked to everyone that knows anything about him, he’ clean”.
Money Talks
CM Punk is also one of few famous names in the UFC. While the weight difference might be too much, the inexperience of Mayweather and CM Punk might balance out in a catchweight exhibition fight. It is crazy and unlikely, but Rogan’s right when he says that ultimately dollars do the talking. At the end of the day that could be what causes Mayweather and McGregor 2 to be finalized.
“I think Mayweather is going to make half a billion dollars if he fights in MMA – half a billion,” Rogan said. “It’s really possible. They really might rake it in with that fight. Floyd might be willing to do it. I think you could sell it. I think if Conor gave five, six months for a training camp. I can’t wait.”
In fairness, if you need a good reason to stand in a ring and have your legs hacked out from under you by an MMA champion, $500 million might just be that. There’s no doubt that it would be a massive occasion if it does happen. With all the rumbling about it, don’t be surprised if it does.
