UFC's White Reveals Details of Mayweather-McGregor Negotiations

UFC President Dana White said he was confident a proposed bout between superstars Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather Jr. is on the horizon.

"I see this fight happening," White said after UFC 210.

White said he will meet with McGregor, UFC's biggest box office attraction, in New York soon after the fighter's girlfriend gives birth to their first child in May.

Once a longshot, the boxing match has inched closer to reality.

White cautioned the fight was not close to a done deal. But White said he's had talks with Mayweather's team, though there's plenty of negotiating still on the table - including the share of the purse.

“Conor is having a baby any day now. After Conor has his baby, Conor and I are going to meet in New York,” White said. “We’re not close [to a deal]. I see this fight happening. Conor wants it and Floyd wants it. I’ve said many times, Conor has done a lot. He’s stepped up for the big fights for this company and for me and for Lorenzo [Fertitta], I can’t deny him this fight,” White said.

A date in September has been mentioned as a possible landing spot for the showdown between McGregor and Mayweather, but White cautioned that nothing is set in stone right now.

White says that the longer it takes to negotiate an agreement between both sides will only push back the fight that much further, but he ultimately expects a deal to be struck between McGregor and Mayweather.

“The longer it takes for us to come to an agreement, I think the longer it’s going to take to negotiate with the Mayweather team,” White explained. “Cause I know all the talk of ‘A’ side, ‘B’ side and all this stuff.

“Listen, everything I say is going to come off bias because he’s my guy but you guys judge. Is Conor McGregor not a massive star? This fight here, Floyd doesn’t make this kind of money either without Conor so Conor is just as important as Floyd when it comes to this fight. Not to mention, Conor’s actually stepping in and boxing him and not saying ‘hey let’s fight in mixed martial arts.'”

“Mayweather’s team would have to deal with [Showtime]. I’m dealing with my side, I’ll let them deal with their side. I’ve been talking to [Mayweather’s team] for a while now.”

Mayweather, who retired as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the sport with a 49-0 record in 2015, has said he'd want the fight to be at either 147 or 150 pounds and be part of a Showtime pay-per-view package. When asked if a deal could be struck, Mayweather said earlier this year, "absolutely."

McGregor hasn't fought since he defeated Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 in November 2016. He has no scheduled UFC fights ahead and his next bout could see him lacing up the boxing gloves.