UFC president Dana White has thrown some fuel on the fire that is a potential fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor.
During an interview on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd”, White was asked about the rumors surrounding negotiations for a major money grab fight between the two biggest stars in the fight game. After Mayweather stating that he offered McGregor $15 million for a fight, White countered with an offer of his own.
.@danawhite makes a REAL OFFER to @FloydMayweather to fight Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA).
RT if you want to see the fight happen pic.twitter.com/rwm7hV9pd0
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) January 13, 2017
The UFC boss proposed that both fighters make a guarantee of $25 million plus a split of the pay-per-view revenue. Now, Mayweather would, likely, never agree to an even split in guaranteed purse, making this offer not all that realistic. But that is not the story here.
The story is that White is even willing to seriously discuss this fight, contradictory to stances that he has taken on the potential fight in the past. This match-up was initially a dream fight for many fans that wanted to see the two stars go to battle. But now, it seems like it is, at the least, in the realm of discussion and the slightest (and I mean very slight) possibility.
It is assumed that if this fight takes place, it will be a boxing match. As Mayweather would, likely, never step into the octagon and McGregor has obtained a boxing license in the state of California. But the negotiations for this bout would be very tough.
It took five years of on-and-off talks to make Mayweather’s super-fight against Manny Pacquiao. And this fight has even more promotional hurdles than that one did. Getting the money right will also be tough. Mayweather made over $200 million for his bout with Pacquiao, meaning that Dana White will need to be willing to give Mayweather the larger share of cash, given that he is a more established, proven draw.
It is still a long shot for this fight to happen, but if White is willing to discuss it, we are closer to seeing it than we have ever been.
UPDATE:
Doesn’t sound like Floyd Mayweather is taking Dana’s offer, according to TMZ Sports.
