McGregor's actual mentality going into this fight.

[CatchAndShoot]

I almost guarantee you it's not that he's gonna actually win, or KO Floyd. It's to survive, and look decent enough where he can get on the mic during the post fight interviews, and say, "OK, I've played your game, now step into the Octagon with me!", and the crowd goes wild, and cheers, and now all of a sudden, the media, fans, and everyone else gets behind this narrative, and all of a sudden, it's not about Conor getting his ass whooped, but it's gonna be twisted into, "Floyd's a *****. If you really wanna prove who's better, step into the Octagon! You scared!"

I can see it already. If that's what it really is, pretty genius. Pretty much takes no heat for losing so badly, and the narrative quickly switches to, "OK, Floyd, time to step into the Octagon now". And that'll be the big talk of sports for the next year, while obviously, Floyd will never answer questions about that, and go into hiding, so he doesn't have to confront that elephant int he room.

You really think Conor doesn't have a contingency plan for how badly he's about to get schooled in the boxing ring? He's got this planned already, and I bet you any money, this is what happens.

And you never know, maybe in the heat of the moment, Floyd's ego gets to him, and he says, "I'll be there!", or something like that. But Floyd's too smart to box himself in like that, and having people use that against him.

[Madison Boxing]

it will be to not embarrass himself. going 12 would be decent enough for him, he can play the whole'i went 12 rounds with your best fighter' schtick. if he manages to nick a round or two and win a few exchanges that would be a big accomplishment for him. I was rewatching that van heerden video yesterday though and theres no doubt in my mind hes getting stopped, you cant just walk straight in to floyds right hand all night, he wasnt even rolling with the shots lol. He will get busted up and stopped.

[CatchAndShoot]

it will be to not embarrass himself. going 12 would be decent enough for him, he can play the whole'i went 12 rounds with your best fighter' schtick. if he manages to nick a round or two and win a few exchanges that would be a big accomplishment for him. I was rewatching that van heerden video yesterday though and theres no doubt in my mind hes getting stopped, you cant just walk straight in to floyds right hand all night, he wasnt even rolling with the shots lol. He will get busted up and stopped.

Yeah, I actually see a stoppage, or a flat out KO happening this fight, but I think Conor's banking on just surviving 12, and pulling the, "OK, you beat me in this, but let's do this now, since i'm better at that" BS.

There's just no way you can watch Floyd vs. Berto, then watch Conor sparring (I know, not the be all end all, but you get it), and actually think he has a chance.

[Lester Tutor]

I almost guarantee you it's not that he's gonna actually win, or KO Floyd. It's to survive, and look decent enough where he can get on the mic during the post fight interviews, and say, "OK, I've played your game, now step into the Octagon with me!", and the crowd goes wild, and cheers, and now all of a sudden, the media, fans, and everyone else gets behind this narrative, and all of a sudden, it's not about Conor getting his ass whooped, but it's gonna be twisted into, "Floyd's a *****. If you really wanna prove who's better, step into the Octagon! You scared!"

I can see it already. If that's what it really is, pretty genius. Pretty much takes no heat for losing so badly, and the narrative quickly switches to, "OK, Floyd, time to step into the Octagon now". And that'll be the big talk of sports for the next year, while obviously, Floyd will never answer questions about that, and go into hiding, so he doesn't have to confront that elephant int he room.

You really think Conor doesn't have a contingency plan for how badly he's about to get schooled in the boxing ring? He's got this planned already, and I bet you any money, this is what happens.

And you never know, maybe in the heat of the moment, Floyd's ego gets to him, and he says, "I'll be there!", or something like that. But Floyd's too smart to box himself in like that, and having people use that against him.

Yeah but would Conor be down for Olympic style testing in the Octgagon with USADA, as that org is already facilitating UFC?

147 in the UFC against Floyd is suicide with Dana not being able to help Conor with the post drain peddies...

154... not so bad, I'd be down for Floyd in the Octagon. It's a non official boxing record and again another multi million dollar bout where Floyd is yet again the A side in the UFC.

[CatchAndShoot]

Yeah but would Conor be down for Olympic style testing in the Octgagon with USADA, as that org is already facilitating UFC?

147 in the UFC again Floyd is suicide with Dana able to help Conor with the post drain peddies...

154... not so bad, I'd be down for Floyd in the Octagon. It's a non official boxing record and again another multi million dollar bout where Floyd is yet again the A side in the UFC.

And this might sound crazy, but I actually give Floyd a decent chance to catch Conor before he can get a hold of him, or zig zagging, then turning him, and catching him with a crazy hook, or uppercut with those tiny gloves, and hurting, and knocking out Conor, before he can grapple with him.

A guy as fast, and agile as Floyd always has a chance to land a pin point shot on your chin, regardless of what format the fight is in. You'd have to be crazy to think he couldn't at least clip him in an MMA match.

And yeah, I really do think Conor's roided TF up for this fight. It's pretty damn evident in his Instagram pics.

But the question is, could the UFC even pay him over 150 million for him to enter the octagon? Their pay outs are setup different, and they wouldn't allow Fedor to have 50/50 promotional rights, and to put his name aside with the UFC. They might do it for Floyd though.

[DoubleMM]

floyds stopping him easily. dude will be winded and floyd will start punishing his body then he head. 7 rounds tops.

[Lester Tutor]

Yeah, I actually see a stoppage, or a flat out KO happening this fight, but I think Conor's banking on just surviving 12, and pulling the, "OK, you beat me in this, but let's do this now, since i'm better at that" BS.

There's just no way you can watch Floyd vs. Berto, then watch Conor sparring (I know, not the be all end all, but you get it), and actually think he has a chance.

Actually, if Floyd's plan is to actually ever even consider the Octagon with McGrgeor with the assumption he's going to beat Conor...

That would mean Floyd would take Conor 12 rounds, seriously batter his face in particular, hurt him until he quits or worse Floyd goes for the KO in the 12th. By doing all that would debilitate Conor in recovery. With 4oz gloves come the future, Conor wouldn't dare to swing against Floyd in the Octagon and only rely on kicks or ground work.

[Amandlala]

Yeah, I actually see a stoppage, or a flat out KO happening this fight, but I think Conor's banking on just surviving 12, and pulling the, "OK, you beat me in this, but let's do this now, since i'm better at that" BS.

There's just no way you can watch Floyd vs. Berto, then watch Conor sparring (I know, not the be all end all, but you get it), and actually think he has a chance.

I don't really see Conor doing that. . Remember how many times he's talked about Mayweather being weak, the brittle bones, him being old... I think he's more likely to try and carve out a career in boxing. Because boxing pays better and he's wanted to box since he was a kid.

Conor is a boxing fan and to get a fight against Floyd is like a dream. He wants to make a real fist of the entire occassion. Hence the hype and the way he's playing it. His preperation has been key.

[CatchAndShoot]

Actually, if Floyd's plan is to actually ever even consider the Octagon with McGrgeor with the assumption he's going to beat Conor...

That would mean Floyd would take Conor 12 rounds, seriously batter his face in particular, hurt him until he quits or worse Floyd goes for the KO in the 12th. By doing all that would debilitate Conor in recovery. With 4oz gloves come the future, Conor wouldn't dare to swing against Floyd in the Octagon and only rely on kicks or ground work.

LMAO I could totally see that. How sick would it be if he just starts beating his ass, letting off the gas pedal enough for him not to quit, or the ref to stop it, and does that for 12 rounds? That would be downright cruel, but also smart if he really did plan on entering the ocatgon. Also, just a way to hurt Conor for future fights, so he doesn't continue winning, and being as big in the media.

[ironmt]

I almost guarantee you it's not that he's gonna actually win, or KO Floyd. It's to survive, and look decent enough where he can get on the mic during the post fight interviews, and say, "OK, I've played your game, now step into the Octagon with me!", and the crowd goes wild, and cheers, and now all of a sudden, the media, fans, and everyone else gets behind this narrative, and all of a sudden, it's not about Conor getting his ass whooped, but it's gonna be twisted into, "Floyd's a *****. If you really wanna prove who's better, step into the Octagon! You scared!"

I can see it already. If that's what it really is, pretty genius. Pretty much takes no heat for losing so badly, and the narrative quickly switches to, "OK, Floyd, time to step into the Octagon now". And that'll be the big talk of sports for the next year, while obviously, Floyd will never answer questions about that, and go into hiding, so he doesn't have to confront that elephant int he room.

You really think Conor doesn't have a contingency plan for how badly he's about to get schooled in the boxing ring? He's got this planned already, and I bet you any money, this is what happens.

And you never know, maybe in the heat of the moment, Floyd's ego gets to him, and he says, "I'll be there!", or something like that. But Floyd's too smart to box himself in like that, and having people use that against him.

Excellent well thought out post. I can definitely see It playing out as you described.