UFC's White: I Want To Do This Mayweather Fight For McGregor

By Edward Chaykovsky

During an interview on the Chris Mannix show, UFC President Dana White revealed that he was actively negotiating the terms for a cross-sports boxing match between UFC superstar Conor McGregor and five division world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Last year, White said there was no possibility of that fight coming off - at least under normal boxing rules - but now his position has changed. White claims that he wants to make this fight happen in order to reward McGregor with the biggest payday of his entire career.

At the moment, White is working out the financial numbers with McGregor and he believes a deal is very close. 

"I am [negotiating the terms for that fight] - Conor has been a guy who has stepped up in times of need here, so I want to do this for Conor. I want him to be able to make this kind of money…I think we’re actually there, I just need to get together with him and finalize some stuff and then it’s onto Mayweather," White told Mannix.

After McGregor's partner gives birth to their first child, White plans to meet with him to finalize the numbers for the Mayweather fight.

"Conor McGregor is having a baby right now. After his girlfriend delivers her baby, we’ll start working on this deal,” White said.

White once again stated that he believes McGregor has a shot to upset the odds.

“The thing that makes this fight very intriguing for me is that Floyd Mayweather is 40 years old,” White said. “Yes he’s one of the best of all time, but he’s 40, Conor’s 27. Conor’s a much bigger guy than Floyd Mayweather. Conor McGregor is a southpaw, Floyd has trouble with southpaws. Conor McGregor has knockout power in both hands, Floyd Mayweather does not.

“If you sit down with Conor McGregor he’ll make you believe that he’s going to win the fight, so I’m fascinated to see how this thing plays out. In 2017, I think you will [see this fight happen]."

Mayweather (49-0, 26 KOs) retired from the sport in September 2015, but last month he announced that he was officially coming out of retirement for the sole purpose of facing McGregor.