Conor McGregor (15-2) Is Looking To Take The UFC By Storm
Back in April, Floyd Mayweather’s team floated the idea of a boxing match with Conor McGregor. April of 2016. The idea rose and fell and the men bickered on Twitter. However, during an appearance on TNT’s Inside the NBA, UFC president Dana White was asked if it was happening, or not.
“The McGregor side is done,” said White. “I’m starting to work on the Mayweather side now. … I’m not saying the fight will happen, but I got one side done, now it’s time to work on the other. If we can come to a deal with Haymon and Mayweather, the fight’s going to happen.”
Notorious confirmed the signing.
“It is an honour to sign this record breaking deal alongside my partners Zuffa LLC, The Ultimate Fighting Championship and Paradigm Sports Management,” said McGregor in a statement to John Balfe for TheMacLife.com. “The first, and most important part of this historic contract has now officially been signed off on. Congratulations to all parties involved. We now await Al Haymon and his boxer’s signature in the coming days.”
White has previously estimated that McGregor will make around $75,000,000 and Mayweather around $100,000,000. Given the Notorious is the biggest pay per view television draw in MMA history, by far, and that Money is the biggest PPV draw in boxing history by far, estimates for the event gross are up to $1,000,000,000.
McGregor has nothing to lose. He will make $75,000,000 for an event where no matter the ending, his brand is hugely increased. And worst comes to worst, and can accidentally lose his composure for a moment, in the heat of the action, and slam the boxer into Bolivian.
However, Mayweather will be an overwhelming favorite, with Boxing and MMA betting odds expert Joey Odessa noting on his website, Odessa, that one sportsbook opened with Mayweather set as a huge -10,000 favorite with McGregor a +1200 underdog.
“Let’s keep things real,” said Odessa. “Floyd would fight Conor one time and Conor would get schooled so badly he’d have to register two losses on his boxing record. One day, the whole world will finally get over the whole boxing versus MMA thing. They are two different sports.”
White has said several times he expects the contest to take place in September. That is all contingent on Mayweather signing. And he will sign. For one, Money wants to make an easy $100,000,000. For another, he wants to break Rocky Marciano’s cursed 49-0 undefeated record. The only way Mayeather can get to 50 even with the curse of curses, is vs. McGregor.
