In August 2017, Floyd Mayweather defeated Conor McGregor in the boxing ring.
But the former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion says the boxing ring wasn’t the only place the two were supposed to meet. In a recent interview with ESPN, McGregor (21-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) revealed verbal agreements were in place for the two combat sports icons to compete in an MMA fight.
“He’s not going to do a mixed martial arts bout like he said,” McGregor said. “It was supposed to be me boxing then we do a mixed martial arts bout. That’s what was said and it came out of his mouth as well. It was not written, but it was a verbal agreement. Obviously that’s not going to happen, and I’m not going to push him on that, either.”
While he won’t rally for a McGregor vs. Mayweather MMA fight, the Irishman wants a rematch in boxing. McGregor believes if certain adjustments were made in preparation for their fist fight, he would have won. A rematch would have a different outcome, according to McGregor.
“Most certainly (I want another boxing match),” McGregor said. “I’d like to rematch Floyd. I think I should rematch Floyd. He’s flirting with it. With somebody else it’s not going to be the same. I done phenomenal in that bout. The only reason I lost that bout is because I prepared for a backfooted style of opponent.
“When the fight was like that I was picking him apart. Then, he came forward and started pressing like I am now with my boxing coaches that are drilling specific boxing things into me again. I know I beat Floyd if we rematch – when we rematch.”
Mayweather isn’t the only boxer McGregor has his sights set on. The UFC welterweight disclosed there have been talks about a boxing match with Manny Pacquiao. Additionally, McGregor, who returns to the octagon Saturday night against Donald Cerrone, wants a crack at sparring partner-turned-rival Paulie Malignaggi. Regardless, a boxing world title is in the cards, claims McGregor.
“I look forward to it again,” McGregor said. “If it happens – it will happen again. It will happen. I would be OK with other boxing bouts. We were close to signing Manny. There’s been talks about the Manny fight. There was an offer made on that. Just not yet. I’d love to box Paulie as well.
“I want to box again. I will box again. I will get a boxing world title. I love boxing, I truly love boxing.”
