Absolute Insanity! Floyd vs. McGregor Super Fight is Here. Big Q: Will UFC Allow It?

 Editorial By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

Las Vegas, NV (February 14th, 2017)– Muhammad Ali fought Lyle Alzado and Antonio Inoki. It should not appear strange, therefore, as The Irish Sun has reported, that Floyd Mayweather Jr. will come out of retirement to fight Conor McGregor in a mega super fight of all fights, the ultimate Floyd promotion extravaganza. After all, Floyd versus McGregor is not on the same level of proficiency as Floyd versus Errol Spence Jr. Incidentally, that could be too if Spence decapitates Kell Brook in their May 20, 2017, IBF World Welterweight title matchup in the United Kingdom. Or, Floyd versus the titular bout winner of Danny Garcia versus Keith Thurman.

Whatever.

While Dana White of the UFC has stated Floyd versus McGregor is not possible as the UFC has a four fight contract with McGregor, it is possible. All that is required is to include the UFC in the Floyd versus McGregor promotion by contractual agreement, including the UFC in a major piece of the financial purse pie at the percentage pay-per-view. A dynamic card could be built with both boxing and MMA on the undercard, both rings in use, however Floyd and the UFC want to do it. The card could feature some Mayweather Promotions fighters as well. We know the bout is on the table.

The commission also confirms that negotiations have started for this boxing super fight.

On Tuesday, Nevada State Athletic Commission chairman Anthony Marnell confirmed that a bout between the combat sports superstars is officially being negotiated. This marks the most substantial report outside of previous comments from Mayweather, McGregor, and UFC president Dana White.

“There is a lot of real stuff going on,” Marnell told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto. “It still seems like a long shot, but when there is a lot of money involved, people tend to figure it out. There are a lot of cooks in the kitchen, but I’m not sure if we’re going to eat.

“The Nevada Athletic Commission, in my experience, has always been well briefed by all parties on an event or potential event that may take place in Las Vegas. We are aware of conversations and information that has been disclosed and not disclosed in the media. Whether these conversations will get to a point that a fight happens, I can’t tell you.”

Here is what Dana White had to say on the subject last week: ““He’s (Conor McGregor is) under contract with us (the UFC). You have a contract for a reason. Let me tell you what. There are a lot of contracts out there (in professional sports). No matter what business you are in…..UFC, or whatever……it’s pretty tough to get out of a contract. And if that’s what Conor wants to do (next, to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr.), he (Conor) has got four fights left. He’s got four fights left with the UFC. Fight your four fights, and…..you know..…go out (after you have completed the terms of your UFC contract), and do what you want to do.”

For the UFC and McGregor, it is put upon shut up time. My prediction is Floyd win 12 McGregor is he carries him or simply proceeds cautiously without taking any risks, or Floyd win by TKO in rounds five through eight, somewhere in there, if the bot turns out to be a mismatch. I mean, Olympic Gold Medalist Pete Rademacher knocked down Floyd Patterson when he fought him for the world heavyweight title in his first pro bout. Patterson still stopped Rademacher. I don’t predict McGregor will knock down Floyd, but it might be an interesting welterweight super fight while it lasts. The weights for the bout will have to be clearly established at 147 pounds with no catch weight, and a world title of some kind, or a major regional belt of some kind, will have to be put on the table as well.

For the money, who still would not fight Floyd? This bout is probably NOT about money, though it may appear that way to most boxing experts and sports observers. McGregor has a big mouth. Besides the big money and mega promotion, Floyd, it appears, is motivated to shut McGregor up once and for all, while allowing boxing fans to watch the slaughter. If the overall package is a well-constructed card of boxing and MMA, the total promotion at the Grand Garden Arena at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas could work. However, Floyd should still take this bout seriously.

A world class MMA fighter like McGregor, in the mold of a Chris Algieri, could still make trouble with a kill or be killed mentality by forcing Floyd to fight. In a 12 round technical bout, though, McGregor would have to be as skilled as Floyd to wins rounds. That fact remains to be seen by any MMA fighter at the world class level of super fighter Floyd fights at. This is a super fight. McGregor wants it bad, he called Floyd out, Floyd answered the ad. Time will tell how this all unfolds in the weeks and months to come, but it appears it will happen, if the UFC gives its blessing. The UFC will-for the right price. Robert Brizel’s education and adventure into modern unique and strange boxing versus MMA matches began with Floyd vs. McGregor.

Real Combat Media will keep you updated on any updates regarding Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor.

 

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