Conor McGregor has accomplished many firsts in his time but most right-minded people had a hard time believing this rumour.
It was reported this week that discussions were taking place for Conor McGregor to fight Floyd Mayweather for a second time but under a bizarre modified rule set.
According to Omar Al Raisi, editor in chief of The Sports Journal, the rematch would take place in the UFC’s Octagon but no kicks, no takedowns, no elbows and no knees would be allowed.
The report claimed that the fighters would wear standard MMA 4 ounce gloves and that clinch-fighting would be permitted.
.@FloydMayweather will fight @TheNotoriousMMA in the octagon. With 4 ounce gloves, no shoes, 5-five minute rounds in 155 division.
No kicks, no take downs, no elbows, no knees. Certain things will be allowed like the clinch. pic.twitter.com/Gmv5koAG00
— Omar Al Raisi (@Dantani) April 8, 2018
Considering the decades of work that the UFC had to do to legitimise MMA and turn the sport from an underground freak show into a sustainable, mainstream phenomenon, the idea that they’d jeopardise all of their hard-earned credibility by allowing such a haphazard set of rules was a rather ridiculous thought to entertain.
Mayweather has insisted that the only fight he’d come out of retirement for would be in the UFC but we all know that ‘Money’ often says things just to keep himself and his brand relevant.
The journalist who broke the news has since slightly rowed back on his claims, suggesting that he was simply reporting on the negotiations.
Let me clarify. Nothing is approved or signed. The modified rules MMA fight is something that has been discussed.
No one has an interest for another boxing bout & we all know Floyd won't jump into a full MMA fight.
Modified rules generates interest and Conor has better chances pic.twitter.com/Mm0OzfPTbY
— Omar Al Raisi (@Dantani) April 10, 2018
One key figure in any potential talks between McGregor and Mayweather is UFC President Dana White and while he’s been known to bend the truth at stages of his career, he’s insisted that there’s nothing to the report that the idea was being entertained to put together a compromised rule set in order to get the lucrative rematch signed.
And he did so in typical Dana White fashion.
None of that is even close to true. Dumbest shit i have ever heard.
— danawhite (@danawhite) April 10, 2018
