It’s clear that reigning UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor and retired boxing legend Floyd “Money” Mayweather want to fight each other. Whether the bout will actually come to fruition, however, is up for debate. If it were to actually take place, UFC featherweight champion and longtime McGregor rival Jose Aldo wouldn’t give the “Notorious” one
It’s clear that reigning UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor and retired boxing legend Floyd “Money” Mayweather want to fight each other. Whether the bout will actually come to fruition, however, is up for debate.
If it were to actually take place, UFC featherweight champion and longtime McGregor rival Jose Aldo wouldn’t give the “Notorious” one a chance to beat Mayweather in the squared circle:
“First of all, we don’t know if it will happen or not,” Aldo said Friday during an online Q&A (Via MMAFighting.com), “there are a lot of things involved, mainly McGregor has a contract to follow so it’s hard to happen, but if it happens, I don’t think he has a chance.”
“Mayweather has the experience of competing for years in the sport of boxing, so I don’t see how,” the Brazilian said. “Of course, it’s a fight, but it’s hard for us MMA fighters to go to a different world challenging one of the best in the history. I don’t see a result different than a win for Mayweather.”
Aldo was iconically knocked out by McGregor when the two met after months and months of build-up at Dec. 2015’s UFC 194. The Brazilian then rebounded with a unanimous decision victory over Frankie Edgar at UFC 200 before he was promoted back to undisputed featherweight champion after McGregor was stripped of his 145-pound title.
Do you agree with “Scarface’s” analysis of a potential bout between Mayweather and McGregor?
So with my dedication to writing Fallout articles, the chance to speak on Conor McGregor and his quest to become the first major MMA star to cross over and dominate in another combat sport, *cough* Alistair Overeem *cough*, has been a bit out of reach. It’s a strange day to see a UFC champion grow to such heights to be capable of calling out another sport’s pound for pound king. Floyd Mayweather is boxing’s most polarizing figure and the man is retired. Nevertheless, Mayweather still has a target on his back. A fight with Mayweather means money in the bank for both him and his potential opponent. But Conor McGregor is no slouch in producing big bucks in a major pay-per-view event. Both Mayweather and McGregor hold something special that makes even the most casual of combat fans want to tune into one of their fights.
So with my dedication to writing Fallout articles, the chance to speak on Conor McGregor and his quest to become the first major MMA star to cross over and dominate in another combat sport, *cough* Alistair Overeem *cough*, has been a bit out of reach. It’s a strange day to see a UFC champion grow to such heights to be capable of calling out another sport’s pound for pound king. Floyd Mayweather is boxing’s most polarizing figure and the man is retired. Nevertheless, Mayweather still has a target on his back. A fight with Mayweather means money in the bank for both him and his potential opponent. But Conor McGregor is no slouch in producing big bucks in a major pay-per-view event. Both Mayweather and McGregor hold something special that makes even the most casual of combat fans want to tune into one of their fights.
Size Difference
The first thing to consider, with this hypothetical fight which most likely won’t happen, is the fact that Conor McGregor is a much larger man compared to Floyd Mayweather. Why that won’t make a difference is purely the realm in which they’ll be having this contest. Mayweather has faced bigger fighters and fighters who are just as fast as McGregor. The size disadvantage may not play too much of a factor in the match, but if McGregor chooses to get the fight into the clinch, things could get interesting.
Embrace The Style Clash
Something else to consider is the differences in their styles. Yes, McGregor started training primarily in boxing in the beginning of his career. Over time he’s become a more complete fighter who implements traditional martial arts into his style. That alone makes him an interesting puzzle for Mayweather to solve. Mayweather has fought against many different styles of BOXING. What he hasn’t faced off against is a person who uses different movement, different distancing, and different timing more comparable to traditional martial arts.
Let’s face it, Conor McGregor’s chances of beating Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match is slim. But the approach he takes for the match would paramount. Conor McGregor would have to look at this match up differently than a boxing match. If he was smart he’d look at things not as a war of punches but a war of styles. The old adage styles make fights always rings true in any combat sport. McGregor is obviously going to have to train his boxing, but he shouldn’t abandon his traditional martial arts training either. If he wants to contend with Mayweather then he’s going to have to offer a different look. While his chances would still be slim at least it would offer up a strategy that could cause some complications. After all, stranger things have happened.
What the hell could Conor McGregor offer Floyd Mayweather?
Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.
In recent weeks, the much-ballyhooed Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather boxing match-up has gone from a far-off dream to now only being a legitimate possibility with an absolute mountain of roadblocks to surpass for it to actually happen. By now the story has been discussed over and again, with McGregor obtaining his boxing license in
In recent weeks, the much-ballyhooed Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather boxing match-up has gone from a far-off dream to now only being a legitimate possibility with an absolute mountain of roadblocks to surpass for it to actually happen.
Mayweather scoffed at the offer like everyone expected him to – yet there’s a strong very strong argument to be made that it’s “Money” who needs the UFC more than they need him to lock up one more monstrous payday before he heads off into the sunset with hopefully a 50-0 record in tow. UFC commentator Jon Anik recently appeared on Bruce Buffer’s podcast (via Bloody Elbow), and while he and Buffer are UFC employees who will side with their employer through thick and thin, Anik nonetheless raised an interesting point – even if it was just for discussion.
Take a look and see if you think it has any merit:
“I feel like everybody focused on Dana White saying $25 million. But they really should’ve focused on what else he said, which is the fact that the biggest fight Floyd Mayweather has right now, is Conor McGregor. That’s the fight he needs. There’s really no other fight for Floyd Mayweather right now that going to command 2, if not 3 million pay-per-view buys. So tell me who needs who?
“Certainly Conor could realize the biggest payday of his career, but he can fight Nate Diaz and all these other guys, and make 25, 30, if not 40 million. Floyd needs Conor and the UFC a lot more than they need him right now.”
While it’s tough to lend full legitimacy to Anik’s words due to his alliance, the concept, in a vacuum, may be at least somewhat valid. Case in point, Mayweather’s last fight, a September 2015 decision win over the lesser-known Andre Berto, gained an alarmingly low number of paying viewers after Mayweather largely let the entire world down with his ultra-safe win over Manny Pacquiao in the supposed “boxing fight of the century” in May of that year.
That proved Mayweather may no longer be able to sell a massive pay-per-view (PPV) card on his own without an equally admired foil, and McGregor would most certainly play that part to perfection, even if he hasn’t officially fought in a professional boxing bout. And even though “Money” has a truly legitimate claim to be one of it not the best boxers of all-time, at the end of the day combat sports fans want to see knockouts and he rarely delivers them.
McGregor obviously does that for fans on a consistent basis. His trash talk and over-the-top persona rub just as many fans the wrong way as they do bring admirers to his side, but love or hate him, McGregor comes to finish fights. He also promotes a rivalry like no other MMA fighter has before, making him the most sought-after opponent in the UFC. There are several rivalries out there for him, be it with Nate Diaz, Tyron Woodley, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Jose Aldo, or even the biggest fight out there – a super fight with former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre.
McGregor is currently on hiatus awaiting the birth of his first child, so there’s no telling which of these rivalries we’ll actually see him take part in, or when they will happen. Yet any one of those would be must-see cards where McGregor would earn in the tens of millions for. With Mayweather offering the potential for less than that, McGregor doesn’t need “Money’s” money right now. Mayweather’s only path to one last huge bout, as ridiculous as it sounds, goes through McGregor whether he likes it or not.
Manny Pacquiao appears to want in on the Conor McGregor boxing match superfight sweepstakes, as he’s willing to step into the squared circle with the UFC lightweight champ if negotiations with Floyd Mayweather fall through. For months now banter between McGregor and Mayweather has taken over combat sports news headlines, as ‘Money’ is asking for
Manny Pacquiao appears to want in on the Conor McGregor boxing match superfight sweepstakes, as he’s willing to step into the squared circle with the UFC lightweight champ if negotiations with Floyd Mayweather fall through.
For months now banter between McGregor and Mayweather has taken over combat sports news headlines, as ‘Money’ is asking for $100 million to show up and will only offer ‘Notorious’ $15 million. UFC President Dana White countered with a ‘real offer’ of $25 million each, as well as splitting pay-per-view (PPV) revenue down the middle, to which Mayweather merely laughed at.
Recently speaking to FOX Sports (via Bleacher Report) Pacquiao admits he hasn’t seen any footage of McGregor in the boxing ring, but is down to square off with the Irishman if the opportunity arises:
“In boxing? In boxing [I would fight McGregor] but not in [UFC], just boxing,” Pacquiao said. “I didn’t see [footage of Conor sparring],” Pacquiao said. “But if we are talking about Conor McGregor and boxing, it’s different. Boxing is different than MMA.”
Mayweather currently holds an undefeated boxing record of 49-0, calling it a career after his 2015 unanimous decision win over Andre Berto. Pacquiao has had quite a stellar career himself inside the squared circle, with a record of 59-6-2 after suffering his last defeat to Mayweather himself via unanimous decision in 2015.
McGregor has not expressed interest in facing Pacquiao in a boxing bout, but perhaps he’ll address the matter in his pay-per-view (PPV) only interview with MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani next week (Saturday, January 28, 2017).
Last November, it was reported that UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor had been granted a boxing license in the state of California, and it appears as if his bitter rival Nate Diaz is following his lead, although in a different state. According to a report from ESPN.com, Diaz is ‘in the process’ of applying for
Last November, it was reported that UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor had been granted a boxing license in the state of California, and it appears as if his bitter rival Nate Diaz is following his lead, although in a different state.
According to a report from ESPN.com, Diaz is ‘in the process’ of applying for a boxing license in Nevada, an application that NSAC (Nevada State Athletic Commission) executive Bob Bennet expects to be approved:
“Nate paid his fine and has requested a boxing license,” NSAC executive director Bob Bennett said. “Upon his submission of the required licensing information, we expect to approve his license as of this date.
“We welcome Nate and his older brother, Nick, to fight in Las Vegas, whether it’s with the UFC or a boxing promoter.”
The fine that Bennett is referring to was a $50,000 fine regarding the UFC 202 press conference incident that saw Diaz and McGregor fire water bottles back-and-forth at each other.
The Stockton native hasn’t competed since UFC 202 where he lost a majority decision to McGregor. Prior to that, he had shocked the MMA world at UFC 196 in March 2016 when he submitted the Irishman in the second round.
Diaz, who has expressed interest in boxing in the past, has said that he won’t accept any UFC fight aside from a trilogy bout with McGregor. UFC President Dana White hasn’t seemed interested in making that fight a reality, so perhaps Diaz is looking for new opportunities.
It is important to note, however, that the former lightweight title challenger is currently under contract with UFC.
Stay tuned to LowKickMMA as more details regarding this situation unfold.
Boxing. For western martial artists it’s been the go striking art for what feels like an eternity. In the realm of mixed martial arts it was once the preferred striking option for the dominant wrestler. Matt Hughes, Frank Trigg, Randy Couture, and Sean Sherk were just a few fighters from the old school era of the sport that utilized a hybrid boxing and wrestling game. When BJ Penn came onto the scene he utilized a similar approach albeit with more knees and a suffocating jiu jitsu top game. Penn was a man to fear based on his solid boxing skill and ability to dominate on the ground if in top position. But what we saw yesterday showcased the fact that having a terrifying boxing game isn’t going to cut it in the current landscape of mixed martial arts.
Boxing. For western martial artists it’s been the go striking art for what feels like an eternity. In the realm of mixed martial arts it was once the preferred striking option for the dominant wrestler. Matt Hughes, Frank Trigg, Randy Couture, and Sean Sherk were just a few fighters from the old school era of the sport that utilized a hybrid boxing and wrestling game. When BJ Penn came onto the scene he utilized a similar approach albeit with more knees and a suffocating jiu jitsu top game. Penn was a man to fear based on his solid boxing skill and ability to dominate on the ground if in top position. But what we saw yesterday showcased the fact that having a terrifying boxing game isn’t going to cut it in the current landscape of mixed martial arts.
Many will undoubtedly point to the fact that BJ Penn had seen better days. It’s true that Penn has looked sharper and more dangerous in the past. It’s also true that at this point the Hawaiian native is past his prime and likely had no business being in the cage with Yair Rodriguez. While those arguments may be valid, I’m finding it hard to see how an even in his prime BJ Penn gets the victory over Rodriguez. Why? Because of Penn’s limited boxing attack.
Yes, I’m a huge fan of traditional martial arts and I’m even of the idea that it may be the best striking art in the MMA today. A lot of you may think I’m biased because of that fact, but let’s just take a moment to look at the facts.
Boxing is a tool that is undoubtedly needed in every fighter’s arsenal. When you’re in the pocket you have little options to utilize. You’re either going to look for the clinch, throw elbows or knees, or look to throw punches. Most every fighter falls in the latter category and with good reason. Punching in the pocket allows for power, precision, and quicker reactions than say trying to throw a kick from the same position. But once out of the close range, once there’s some distance between you and your opponent, a punching game is going to be harder to employ.
In the main event of UFC Fight Night 103, what we saw was a Penn who was looking to utilize a punching based attack where Rodriguez looked to work from the outside where his longer limbs and strikes would serve him best. Throwing jabs and feints is an effective method of closing the distance and it’s exactly what Penn was likely planning. Too bad for the Hall of Famer that Rodriguez had no intentions of letting remaining in boxing range. Rodriguez utilized some slick movement to ensure that Penn would always be at kicking distance. Rodriguez’s own boxing leaves much to be desired, but thus far he’s been able to use his taekwondo effectively enough that striking in the pocket hasn’t been an option.
So why does it seem like I’m trashing boxing? Well, first off I’m not. Boxing is fundamental in a good striking game. But the problem is when boxing is a fighters only means of attack. The distancing of boxing isn’t enough to contend against a style that utilizes kicks. Rodriguez could comfortably land strikes from a distance while Penn was left to figure out how to close distance and land his own meaningful offense. Barring some unique genetics, a fighter’s legs are usually going to be longer than their arms. Their legs will more than likely be longer than their opponents arms. Putting two and two together easily reveals that a fighter with a good kicking game holds an advantage over a striker who only utilizes punches.
Yes, there are ways to countering against kicks with punches. We’ve seen enough accounts of a counter punch landed before, during, or after a kick is launched end a bout with devastating results. The X-Factor in all this is the distancing game. Styles like taekwondo and karate are based on hitting from a distance and not being hit in return. When striking from a long distance, the chances for being countered with a punch drops drastically. It doesn’t mean a competent puncher couldn’t land his own blows, but it does mean that how they close the distance will be paramount to their success.
So while BJ Penn may not be quite his old self, the reality is that even if he was in his prime he likely would have had trouble closing distance on a striker with a versatile striking game like Rodriguez. Boxing may have it’s merit, but at this stage of the game distancing is key. Whoever can adapt the superior distancing game whether that be through footwork or a sharp kicking game, is likely going to be the victor in modern MMA.
What’s your thoughts on traditional boxing in MMA?
Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.
