When Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather stepped into the ring the first time, the world was watching. The cross-breed “combat-sports” event was officially the second biggest pay-per-view event in history with 4.3 million buys, only outsold by Mayweather v. Pacquiao.
Remember their ego boosting world tour that seemed to last for decades? All the trash talking that took place? Remember how Conor swung himself tired early, and then proceeded to get TKO’d by the notoriously evasive 40-year-old? Not such a great look.
Apparently, the money generated from the first fight wasn’t enough. A rematch inside the octagon has been widely talked about, tweeted, pinned, posted, and instagram’d. Hell, Floyd even went as far as to post videos of him inside an octagon. The rumors continue to swirl, but back in April, Dana White said that nothing had been officially agreed to.
Remember those rumors that Floyd Mayweather would rematch Conor McGregor in the UFC under modified rules?
Dana White: "Dumbest s–t I have ever heard" #UFC #MayMac
➡️➡️ https://t.co/ek7dEl0nGy pic.twitter.com/aXeEy9Jdok
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) April 11, 2018
Now, that process could take longer than anticipated given the fact that McGregor is facing a laundry list of charges as a result of his childish temper tantrum at Barclays Center after a media event preceding UFC 223. For those who don’t know, Conor tossed a hand truck (yep, like a dolly) through the window of a chartered bus containing fighters and personnel. Among those on board: Khabib Nurmagomedov and Michael Chiesa, who was cut and bloodied.
According to USA Today, McGregor faces multiple charges, including one felony count for criminal mischief, and three charges of assault. His next day in court is set for June 14th.
Before anyone gets excited and, if this rematch somehow takes place after Conor’s legal troubles and Dana White hands down the UFC’s official punishment, we’ve already heard this is essentially a boxing match inside an octagon. According to Omar Al Raisi, modified rules are rumored to include five-minute rounds, no shoes, and four-ounce gloves.
In addition, no knees, no kicks, no takedowns, no elbows. As of yet, there hasn’t been anything banning hammer fists, similar to the ones Conor landed, and was warned about multiple times last August.
With that in mind, and only certain things being allowed in the clench, what’s the point? Conor won’t be as winded? We’ll see Floyd without shoes on? Honestly, if the pay-per-view price is anywhere near what it was for the boxing match, it’s just greedy (and I’d expect to see the ratings slide considerably).
Perhaps this time, Floyd could have his ski-mask made out of hundred-dollar bills? If nothing else, he’d better show up with one hell of a pedicure for this one. Personally, I feel like we should just get them both to meet up at Stoney’s so they can two-step together. Now I’d pay $500 per ticket to watch that. Of course, Mayweather’s dancing skills weren’t even enough for him to win “Dancing with the Stars.”
Guess Mayweather is better at ducking his opponents than out-dancing them.
One thing is for sure, Robert Byrd had better not be officiating this one. If this fight actually happens, I fully expect the referee (whoever they are) to ONLY speak to Mayweather during pre-fight briefings the way Byrd did in their first match.
Until then, we’ll have to stick to non-gimmicky fights this week at UFC 225, which might be better for the sport than The Money Team attempting to invade the octagon for a pillow fight with candy-ass rules.
