Conor McGregor scored what may go down as the most important win of his MMA career at UFC 202 by beating Nate Diaz by majority decision. So, what are his plans now? Maybe, just maybe, starting his boxing career.
Speaking with the assembled media during a scrum after UFC 202, McGregor discussed what his future has in store and seemingly teased a boxing superfight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“The belt situation is lingering. I’ve got to talk…I’m speaking to the new people now so I don’t know. I’ve got to talk about what’s next,” he said, referencing the new UFC ownership group led by WME-IMG. “I’ve got a lot of options and some might not be in this sport.”
While he didn’t specifically name names, it’s fairly clear that McGregor is referencing a boxing match with Mayweather. The two have gone back and forth for months now, with both McGregor and Mayweather expressing interest in the fight.
Despite the fact that McGregor and Mayweather are both game, however, UFC President Dana White flatly stated in June that the bout “ain’t happening.” The new ownership group may be willing to take a second look at the idea, but the odds of the two facing off remains a long shot.
That, however, isn’t stopping McGregor from pushing for the opportunity. “Right now I have Floyd running around the Showtime offices gathering my money, that’s what he’s doing,” McGregor told reporters ahead of UFC 202. “He’s running around the Showtime offices begging those executives to come up with a $100 million cash to fight me. As soon as he gets my money, we can fight.”
It’s anyone’s guess as to what comes next for McGregor, who may or may not be able to return to 145 pounds to defend his featherweight title in the near future. Unless the team at WME-IMG has a radically different approach to MMA promotion than White and company, however, his next bout will be in a cage, not a ring.
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