Floyd Mayweather’s response to those UFC rumours is music to fight fans’ ears.
Dana White had combat sports fans feeling equal parts sceptical and concerned this week by claiming that the UFC were in talks with Floyd Mayweather.
In the UFC president’s words, this story was ‘real,’ which UFC junkies will immediately recognise as a red flag for a story being complete and utter bollocks.
These quotes followed Joe Rogan’s claim on his podcast that White had texted him to let him know that Mayweather was ‘legitimately’ trying to make a deal happen with the UFC. Just when you thought the ridiculousness of 2017 had ceased, you had this story gathering momentum.
Here we go again https://t.co/u8V176wama
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) December 20, 2017
Then fighters began to start seriously discussing the possibility of Mayweather joining the roster. In their defence, the vast majority of UFC fighters are underpaid while Mayweather is the greatest PPV draw in sports history. People talk about Nick Diaz being a money fight, but the Stockton native couldn’t hold a candle to the man whose moniker is literally ‘Money’.
The most noteworthy call-out of the bunch was from flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson. The pound-for-pound king was ready to deprive the world of an actual superfight between himself and bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw in pursuit of the almighty dollar.
What a crying shame that would have been.
@floydmayweather 🐐 vs 🐐 I’ll move up 20 pounds to welcome you proper pic.twitter.com/R400vMz0dX
— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouse) December 20, 2017
Fortunately, Mayweather has confirmed that his quotes were taken out of context by White. As he explained to Fight Hype, he has no intention of fighting inside the Octagon.
“Exactly what I said is this: If I made over a billion dollars before, I could do it again. If I chose to get in the UFC and fight three fights or fight four fights and then fight Conor McGregor, I could make a billion dollars. Which I can. I could do it in three fights or even four fights — I could make a billion dollars. If I choose to get in the Octagon and fight.”
“I’m not doing it, but what I could do is make a billion dollars quick, is what I was saying. I was never saying I was going to fight in the UFC, I didn’t say that. I’m saying if I wanted to, what I could do. Could and would do is a different thing. I’m not going to do it though.”
This is the best Christmas present Mayweather could possibly give us. Thanks, Floyd!
