UFC champion Conor McGregor believes that he can replicate his MMA success in the boxing ring.
On Wednesday, McGregor was issued a boxing license by the California State Athletic Commission. He failed in his attempt to secure a license to box in the state of Nevada.
He claims that his decision to obtain a boxing license is no publicity stunt and he truly wants to get in the ring with retired former five division world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. The two athletes have exchanged heated words for the better part of this year.
Mayweather retired in September of 2015 after dominating Andre Berto over twelve rounds and he's given no indication that he plans to fight again in the near future.
Speaking at a question and answer session in Belfast, McGregor discussed his reasons for obtaining a boxing license.
If Mayweather refuses to face him, McGregor claims there are other boxing targets that he has in mind.
"If I focus with the work ethic I have solely on the sport of boxing, there's no telling what I could do," McGregor said. "I would not go in there just to show up, I'd go in there to knock [Floyd] out. That's it. He can be hit, he's been hit before. Age waits for no man also, so I know they know that. I know the size is on my side, I know the reach is on my side, I know the youth is on my side.
"There's a lot to lose for them, so that's why they're scrambling. But that's okay, I'll leave them scrambling. I've got some other boxing opportunities and potential opponents in mind. Some previous Floyd opponents. They can bring in anyone in the game. We'll see what happens."
McGregor also had some words for the UFC and company president Dana White. The Irish superstar is not pleased with the UFC's decision to take away his featherweight world title.
Last month, McGregor moved up in weight and knocked out Eddie Alvarez to claim the UFC's lightweight title. He planned to keep both titles, but White felt the entire featherweight divisions was stalled due to McGregor's insistence to keep both belts.
McGregor refuses to acknowledge the UFC's decision to take his belt - and many believe his decision to get a boxing license is a message to the UFC.
"I'll say to the UFC, and I love their company, you're fooling nobody, you're fooling nobody with that," McGregor said. "But best of luck to them, I still got them belts. Someone's got to come take those belts from me, physically. Not online, not through a keyboard. The keyboard warriors trying to take them belts away from me, [but] you got to take them belts off me physically if you want to come get them."
