Conor McGregor has had two potential opponents for UFC 189 in the last week. But Thursday night he was asked to think about another, albeit far-fetched, foe: Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The UFC superstar, who meets Chad Mendes in the main event of UFC 189 on July 11 in Las Vegas, said on Conan he would absolutely take on undefeated Mayweather in a boxing match if he got the chance.
“If you’re asking would I like to fight Floyd, who would not like to dance around the ring for $180 million?” McGregor told Conan O’Brien on the TBS show.
McGregor (17-2) does not think Mayweather would want to face him in an MMA match. But in boxing, on Mayweather’s turf, McGregor would be down for the challenge — and, of course, the payday.
“I certainly know he would not want to step into my world, the world of pure unarmed combat where there is no limitations, but I would most certainly step into his world,” the Irishman said. “I would certainly box him if the opportunity arose. Most certainly.”
McGregor, 26, was supposed to fight featherweight champion Jose Aldo at UFC 189, but Aldo pulled out of the fight due to a broken rib on Tuesday. Now, McGregor will face Mendes with the interim belt on the line. The winner will unify the 145-pound crown with Aldo when he’s ready to return.
Mayweather’s last bout, the blockbuster against Manny Pacquiao in May, was fought at 147 pounds. So, a meeting between the legendary boxer and fast-talking MMA star would be logistically possible. And McGregor thinks it would make a whole bunch of money, too.
“There’s no real fight in boxing left for Floyd anyway,” McGregor said. “After the Manny fight happened, there’s no more real buzz. If you’re looking for a fight that could generate interest, it must be across a match of different styles. I’ve said it before. I don’t feel boxing is the style of fighting that could beat Floyd. But saying that, there are many, many forms of fighting that can beat him. So, if we were to get it on, I would most certainly dismantle him also.”