LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 12: Conor McGregor celebrates after a first-round knockout victory over Jose Aldo in their featherweight title fight during UFC 194 on December 12, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
Around 12 months ago Conor McGregor first began dropping breadcrumbs of a potential super boxing match with Floyd Mayweather. At the time, the possibility seemed ridiculous, but one year later, the UFC Lightweight champion has signed a contract for the fight. Big things poppin’, as the kids would say.
McGregor has been hyping up a potential bout with Mayweather (49-0 in boxing) for the past year. Following his title-winning knockout of Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 last November, things really began to heat up. As the first simultaneous two-division titleholder in UFC history, McGregor had completed his quest to become MMA’s biggest star. Pairing him and Mayweather together is the next big step, despite the hurdles for McGregor.
It’s true that “The Notorious” has a grand total of zero professional boxing experience and it’s also true that Mayweather is the most accomplished boxer of this generation. Starting out, this appeared to be too much of a divide to traverse. But on Wednesday, the distance grew a whole lot shorter.
McGregor’s promoter, UFC President Dana White, appeared on Inside the NBA on TNT following the Game 1 blowout by the Cleveland Cavaliers over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals, and revealed an agreement for McGregor’s half to the fight was complete.
“The McGregor side is done,” White said. “I’m starting to work on the Mayweather side now.”
While we don’t know any specific details of the deal, McGregor did confirm White’s comments in a statement released on his personal website, TheMacLife.com.
“It is an honor to sign this record-breaking deal alongside my partners Zuffa LLC, The Ultimate Fighting Championship and Paradigm Sports Management,” McGregor said. “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 (Mayweather adviser) Al Haymon and his boxer’s signature in the coming days.”
He also released the following Tweet in typical McGregor fashion.
https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/865201503455334400
While this is a significant development, a fight is far from imminent. Mayweather is a notoriously difficult negotiator and it’s unknown how “Money” will realistically approach this deal. His requirements are infamous, as he demands a piece of all revenue (concession sales, closed-circuit viewing, etc.) and will likely want final decision on weight, glove size, etc.
“I’m not saying the fight will happen,” White said. “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.”
