The internet was abuzz with speculation that Floyd “Money” Mayweather was heading into the Octagon after he and UFC President Dana White both made statements about the possibility.
On Wednesday, White told ESPN that talks between the UFC and Mayweather were happening, and that seeing the most gifted boxer of this generation in the Octagon was an actual possibility.
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“That’s not what I said….exactly what I said is this, if I made over a billion dollars before, I could do it again…if I chose to get in the UFC and fight 3 fights or fight 4 fights and then fight Conor McGregor, I could make a billion dollars, which
“We’re talking to Floyd about doing a UFC deal,” White said. “It’s real. He was talking about (boxing) Conor McGregor. Was that real? Have you heard Floyd talk about many things that aren’t real? He usually tips his hand when he’s in the media, and then that sh%t ends up happening. We’re interested in doing something with Floyd. Everything is a realistic possibility. Mayweather vs. McGregor…happened. Anything is possible.”
In a new interview with FightHype, Mayweather shot down the notion saying people misinterpreted his words when he took to Instagram Live to boast about his high financial potential if he went the route of mixed martial arts. Mayweather clarified saying he didn’t say he was going to compete in MMA – he said he could make a billion dollars in the UFC if he chose to.
Floyd Mayweather discussing deal to join UFC | SportsCenter | ESPN
Brett Okamoto joins SportsCenter to talk the developing story that Floyd Mayweather is discussing a deal to join the UFC according to Dana White.
“Exactly what I said is this: If I could make over a billion dollars before, I could do it again,” Mayweather said. “If I chose to get in the UFC and fight three fights or fight four fights and then Conor McGregor, I could make a billion dollars. Which I can. I could do it in three fights or even four fights – I could make a billion dollars if I choose to get in the Octagon and fight.”
Mayweather’s boasts are indeed accurate. As the holder of the two highest PPV records with his wins over Manny Pacquaio and Conor McGregor selling 4.6 and 4.3 million PPV’s respectively, Mayweather is boxing’s cash king that has changed the narrative of the boxer-businessman.
However, like he is in the ring, he is strategic and not a fool in business.
If anything, him discussing MMA on any level is not for a personal athletic challenge but he is probably fishing in the media to gauge interest in jumping in the game as a promoter. With the Mayweather vs. McGregor fight generating so much international buzz and interest, it is a certainty that a new door has opened in the world of combat sports.
Look to see many other MMA fighters challenging boxers and probably Mayweather and White leading the charge in setting up those super fight promotions if the personalities involved warrant the interest. However, Mayweather haters and stans alike, don’t hold your breath if you are looking to see “Money” grappling anytime soon.
