On Monday, UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey told a fan during a Reddit A.M.A. chat that she could beat Floyd Mayweather in a no-rules fight. Never one to be out-done, UFC’s second biggest star — Conor McGregor — is making similar claims. Sort of.
McGregor spoke with TheGuardian.com about a potential fight with the most recognizable name in professional boxing.
“The Notorious” Irishman was smart enough to realize that Mayweather wouldn’t dare step into an Octagon with him for an MMA rules bout, however McGregor doesn’t see that as a problem that couldn’t be overcome.
“Why would he take me on?” McGregor said. “But if you’re talking about a fight that could generate half a billion – it’s this one. There’s never going to be another boxing fight like this. Only a cross-style match between Mayweather and me could generate that kind of interest and revenue. So maybe it could happen. I would certainly be up for it. I am capitalising on every single opportunity. It’s a strong word, one of my favourite words: capitalise. I’m ready to capitalise on everything.”
McGregor went as far as to say he’d be willing to compete against Mayweather on his own turf — a boxing ring, claiming he would knock Mayweather out — cold.
“In a real fight I would dismantle him in seconds,” said McGregor. “Ronda Rousey would dismantle him in seconds – 100%. When you don’t know how to grapple you don’t stand a chance. For us, it’s like playing with a baby. People who don’t understand the sport cannot understand how vulnerable they are. There are always clinches and Ronda is a judo Olympian. She would throw Floyd on his head in a second. Me? I would knock him out. Cold.”
