Bob Arum: Floyd Mayweather In The UFC Would Be A Blemish On His Legacy
Top Rank's Bob Arum is not much of a fan of Floyd Mayweather potentially trying his hand in mixed martial arts and fighting in the UFC.
In a video posted by FightHype, Arum, who was at Madison Square Garden for the Top Rank Boxing on ESPN card that took place on St. Patrick's Day, was asked about his feelings regarding the undefeated former pound-for-pound boxing king crossing over to the world of MMA. Mayweather recently said he would begin MMA training soon with current UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. This comes months after Mayweather came out of retirement to defeat former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor in a boxing match last August.
"Mayweather can go try and play wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams and going for the UFC is really a blemish on his legacy. He's not a UFC fighter in the way McGregor isn't a boxer. All it is is a money grab," Arum said.
Mayweather had been dropping hints at a run in MMA, but there has been no fight announcement or UFC deal signed. If Mayweather were to fight in the UFC first, it wouldn't be the first time a boxer made his MMA debut in the octagon. Former world champion James Toney made his MMA debut at UFC 118 in 2010, losing to Randy Couture via first-round submission.
Mayweather recently spoke to TMZ regarding his MMA skills, grading his wrestling a 7 out of 10 and his kicking a 4 out of 10.
