Ever since Conor McGregor announced his short-lived retirement in April, speculation ran rampant that the UFC featherweight champion would step inside the boxing ring against Floyd Mayweather. No one took the proposed bout seriously considering McGregor came out of the retirement was matched up against Nate Diaz at this past Saturday’s UFC 202, which he won by majority decision and McGregor would need approval by the UFC before he could take the fight. After the fight in his post-fight press conference, the Irishman stated he has some options in what his next fight would be including outside the UFC.
Champions.Co is reporting negotiations between Mayweather and McGregor are further along than anyone thought. The site also reports the bout would take place sometime in 2017 and an undercard fight has already been discussed as Cris Cyborg (16-1,1NC, 1-0 UFC) would face current WBC World, WBA World, IBF World, WBO World, IBO World female welterweight champion and undefeated Cecilia Braekhus (28-0, 7 KO’s) in the same MMA vs. Boxing scenario.
Cyborg and Breakhus have in the past expressed interest in facing each other.
Boxing vs MMA 2017 @RealSkipBayless if @FloydMayweather And @TheNotoriousMMA happens lets do @criscyborg vs @1LadyCecilia on The undercard
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) August 23, 2016
Cyborg is scheduled to face Lina Lansberg at UFC Fight Night 95 in a catchweight bout of 140 pounds on Sept. 24. Braekhus next steps inside the ring on Oct. 1 when she defends her belts against Anne Sophie Mathis.
A loss by either fighter could derail the possible showdown.
Mayweather is currently in retirement and hasn’t fought since he defeated Andre Berto last September by unanimous decision.
