By Edward Chaykovsky
Popular UFC fighter Conor McGregor, who headlines their next pay-per-view on July 11th against Chad Mendes, is the latest MMA fighter to express his interest in fighting boxing's pound-for-pound king, WBC/WBA/WBO welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Last night on Conan O'Brien's talk show, McGregor appeared before a televised audience of millions and at some point the conversation turned to a hypothetical fight with Mayweather.
McGregor is the latest in a long line of UFC fighters - including women's champion Ronda Rousey - who predicted a one-sided beating for Mayweather.
“[Mayweather was] 145 pounds against Pacquiao, and my fight is 145 pounds. If you’re asking would I’d like to fight Floyd? Who would not like to dance around the ring for $180 million? It is something that would appeal to me very much. But if we were to fight, I certainly know he would not like to step into my world, the world of pure unarmed combat where there are no limitations. But I most certainly would step into his world. And I would certainly box him if the opportunity arose, most certainly," McGregor said.
"There’s no real boxing fights left in the boxing world for Floyd. After the Manny fight happened, there’s no more real bulls. If you’re looking for a fight that’s gonna generate interest, it must be across… a match-up of different styles. I’ve said it before, I don’t feel boxing is the style of fighting that can beat Floyd. But saying that, there are many, many forms of fighting that can beat him. So, if we were to get it on, I would certainly dismantle him, as well.”