Conor McGregor, boxer?
Rumors have circulated over the past year that UFC double champion Conor McGregor could be in line to face undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather, but a huge step was just taken in making that happen. MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani reported Wednesday night that McGregor has been issued a boxing license in the state of California.
McGregor's manager Audie Attar revealed the news to Helwani, just weeks after McGregor won the UFC Lightweight Championship from Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205. Last weekend McGregor relinquished the UFC Featherweight Championship he won in 2015.
"I didn't know he was undefeated, I didn't know he reigned in MMA for 20 years and was undefeated, and was world champion in five different weight classes. That's something I didn't know," Mayweather told TMZ earlier this month when compared to McGregor. "If you say he's the Floyd Mayweather of MMA, then I'm trying to find out. Has he ever made $300 million in one night? $100 million in one night? $70 million in one night?
McGregor has been open to a fight with Mayweather, but prefers it to be in an MMA setting.
"Tell him to say it to my face. Much respect to Floyd. He's a solid businessman on what he's been able to do." McGregor would later say at a New York Club “He's a f—king animal at what he's been able to do. But as far as real fighting, as far as true pure unarmed combat, Floyd don't want none of this. He wants a boxing match, he doesn't want a fight. I want a $100 million cash to fight him under boxing rules. He's afraid of a real fight."
