If you placed your bets on how soon into 2017 another Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor story would arise, I hope you picked January 11th, because you’re the lucky winner. This time it’s Mayweather who’s re-initiated the discussion, as the boxing legend appeared on ESPN’s scream-debate show, First Take. According to Mayweather, attempts were made to get a fight with the UFC lightweight champion made. (Transcription via Bad Left Hook)
“We tried to make the Conor McGregor fight. They knew what my number is. My number was a guaranteed $100M, that way my number, we’re the A-side, and I don’t really know how much money he has made before, I’m pretty sure he hasn’t even made $10M in an MMA bout, but we are willing to give him $15M and then we can talk about splitting the back-end percentage on PPV. But, of course, we’re the A-side.
“I mean how can a guy talk about $20-$30M if he’s never even made $8-$9M?
“I’m saying right here on this show, Conor McGregor keep telling everyone he wants the fight. Let’s make it happen...Dana White, The UFC, Let’s make it happen. Bring him over to the boxing world and I’ll show him what it’s like. Easy.”
The financial terms are in response to McGregor demanding $100 million to fight Mayweather in the ring. Conor’s last disclosed fight purse was $3 million for his thrilling victory over Nate Diaz at UFC 202, but it’s been estimated that he made far more than that (upwards of $10 million) when factoring in sponsorship money, PPV points, etc.
Talks of a Mayweather vs. McGregor bout have been swirling on-and-off for months, and were further fueled by McGregor recently receiving his license to box in the state of California. Mayweather hasn’t fought outside of Nevada since 2005. It’s certainly a turnaround from when he said it was time to move on.
(Editor’s Note: The above paragraph erroneously attributed Mayweather’s willingness to stage Chris Brown vs. Soulja Boy in LA or Las Vegas as Mayweather’s willingness to fight McGregor in LA or Las Vegas.)
McGregor is currently taking time off as he and his girlfriend await the birth of their first child. He last fought at UFC 205, knocking out Eddie Alvarez in the main event and becoming the first fighter in UFC history to simultaneously hold two championships. McGregor is now just the lightweight champ after the UFC said he “relinquished” the featherweight belt.
(Video at the top of the page can be seen courtesy of Zombie Prophet)
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