There is a reason why Conor McGregor wants to take on arguably the greatest defensive-minded boxer of all time for his professional debut.
If he was looking to add to his legacy. he would have called out a current world champion, not an ageing pugilist who had already hung up his gloves.
If he was looking to change disciplines, he would have been pushing for a bout against a fighter who was still active in the boxing world.
McGregor’s the biggest PPV draw in the history of MMA, while Floyd Mayweather’s top three most lucrative fights generated a whopping $696 million in PPV revenue. When these superstars’ worlds eventually collide inside the ring, there will be two guarantees – the spectacle will be a PPV record-smasher and both parties will get paid accordingly.
Floyd Mayweather gives defiant yet disappointing response to Conor McGregor deal https://t.co/a0z2GzxA1Y
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) May 18, 2017
This is show business, folks. McGregor knows that the biggest payday of his career is right there for the taking. If he loses, which most oddsmakers seem to think is a probability, he can always wheel out the excuse that he’s an MMA fighter competing for the first time in pro boxing.
It doesn’t make sense for ‘The Notorious’ to want this match-up and that’s exactly why it makes perfect sense. It’s a freakshow fight, a circus side act, a once-off spectacle and people can’t help but rubberneck in anticipation of the inevitable carnage and spend their hard-earned cash to catch a glimpse.
However, ever since this megafight actually started looking like it was going to materialise, a host of UFC stars have tried to get in on the boxing act. Anderson Silva, Jimi Manuwa, Jose Aldo, Junior dos Santos and even Stipe Miocic have all admitted they would welcome fights against elite pugilists.
He sounds confident too https://t.co/thJmsK44GL
— JOE (@JOE_co_uk) May 15, 2017
One guy who definitely has no intention of trying his hand inside the ring is Daniel Cormier. The UFC light heavyweight champion explained why this is a terrible move for any fighter not named ‘Conor McGregor’ on UFC Tonight.
“He can actually go and fight Mayweather, and I’ve said it time and time again on this show, he will lose, but the rest of these guys, they will get no money and they will also get slept.”
DC referenced former multi-weight boxing world champion James Toney, who made his MMA debut against former multi-weight UFC world champion Randy Couture in UFC 118’s co-main event in August 2010. The didn’t last long with Couture scoring the takedown early before securing the first round submission via arm triangle.
“Look, James Toney fought in the UFC and got beat. We had no problem showing that footage over and over again of James Toney getting beat by Randy Couture. These boxing promoters will constantly show footage of the heavyweight champion of the world, Stipe Miocic, getting slept by Anthony Joshua. Or Jimi Manuwa – come on, Jimi – getting slept by David Haye.”
“These dudes will get slept and it’s going to be embarrassing. So, no – it’s not going to be good for the UFC. Conor, hats off to you, make your money, but don’t get slept… which might happen.”
McGregor’s willing to take the risk of being embarrassed because he will get paid regardless of the result of the fight. The odds of some of these other fighters getting paid enough of a purse to warrant getting rendered unconscious by masters of the craft are far slimmer.
