What once seemed like a complete impossibility has slowly become at least somewhat plausible. Floyd Mayweather continues to hint that he will make the jump over to mixed martial arts and – likely – face Conor McGregor. Odds have hit the board for a potential MMA bout between the two rivals with McGregor at -850 and Mayweather at +525.
UFC president Dana White seems to believe that it would only make sense for “Money” to step inside the Octagon.
“Floyd said leading up to the fight with Conor that he would do both,” White said on UFC Tonight. “We’ll see what happens. Obviously, the only way making that fight again makes sense is if he comes into the Octagon. We went over and boxed him – the UFC and Conor McGregor. Now it’s time for him to reciprocate and come fight in the Octagon.”
“I’m going to start soon,” Mayweather told TMZ in regard to an offer extended from UFC champion Tyron Woodley to help “Money” train for MMA. “Even if it takes six to eight months, whatever it takes, we just want to make sure everything is done correctly, and everything is done the right way.”
“Obviously, the only way making that fight again makes sense is if he comes into the Octagon.” - Dana White
Mayweather may be one of the best boxers to ever grace the squared circle but the Octagon is a completely different beast. Mayweather has never dealt with the risk of kicks or being taken down.
We have seen something like this before when James Toney decided to try his hand at MMA and took on Randy Couture. Toney, a professional boxer with over 80 fights to his name, was taken down within 20 seconds by Couture and mercifully forced to submit within four minutes.
If Mayweather decides to make the leap, will he be as bad as Toney? One would assume “no” but there is not much evidence to support that assumption. But there is plenty of evidence to suggest that MayMac 2 – no matter the rule set – will make everyone involved a lot of money.
- Floyd Mayweather +525
- Conor McGregor -850
