Vitor Belfort does not think too much about Floyd Mayweather’s much talked about transition into MMA.
Retired undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been reportedly interested in making a transition into mixed martial arts. He has apparently begun applying for a license already, and says he is looking forward to fighting in the cage “by the end of the year.”
In the same way many people disparaged Conor McGregor’s venture into professional boxing last August, a lot of negative things have been said about Mayweather’s possible move to mixed martial arts. For veteran and former UFC champion Vitor Belfort, the man once deemed as boxing’s pound-for-pound king would not do well under MMA rules, even against a teenager.
“I think he doesn’t have a chance even against the young kids, 15, 14-year-olds,” Belfort said during a Hangout session on Friday (transcript via MMA Fighting). “I don’t think he has a chance, no. He has a lot to learn on the ground, kicks. I think it’s an illusion (to say) that happens unless it’s different rules or a fight in his world.”
“With his arms, on his weight, he’s a phenom. Now, involving legs and other things, no chance.”
“The Phenom”, however, did not shy away from talking about his own planned transition into boxing, where also took a shot at Floyd Jr.
“We (can) fight Mayweather (in boxing),” Belfort said. “I’ll wear bigger gloves, he (wears) a small one.”
Belfort is scheduled to face Lyoto Machida at UFC 224 on May 12th in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.