Comments Thread For: SHO's Espinoza Wonders if UFC Really Want Mayweather-McGregor

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

CONOR MCGREGOR's pursuit of a boxing match with Floyd Mayweather has come to a screeching halt. Ireland's first UFC champion, who is currently preparing for the birth of his first child, has been pursuing a boxing match with the Olympian for the last sixth months.
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[MDPopescu]

... Of course it makes sense:

“I think part of the fear on the UFC’s side is that they’ll never see Conor again," he added. "If he makes 50, 60, 70 [million from a Mayweather fight] and then you never see him in the ring and he retires in Ireland and so much for their megastar.”

[billfifty]

I think if he save face in any kind of way in the Mayweather fight, I believe he'll turn around and make another big payday with Pacman (which Arum wants).....and he can fight a life time and the UFC and not make close to those amounts.

[Eff Pandas]

Yes I agree with Espinoza. I think Dana knows he's between a rock and a hard place here. Conor is the biggest ppv draw not just MMA but in combat sports right now. And he's right in his prime still and should in theory have a couple more years, worse case, of huge ppv fights even in the highly competitive world of the UFC.

That being the case what happens when Conor gets $100M or gets embarrassed vs Floyd. Does it f#ck up his drawing power for the UFC? Does he even wanna fight anymore after that sorta windfall or does he just get cozy with that caliber of success and he falls off like so many fighters do when they make huge money?

But if Dana doesn't look like he's making an honest effort then he has to deal with a Conor who'll feel like he's being screwed over and he might pursue the very real issue with UFC contracts being illegal or trying to find an out with the Muhammad Ali act as many have theorized about him using to get this fight made.

Don't envy Dana in this situation as any situation that goes down could be a L for him and the UFC and the only real W for the UFC would be if Conor were to somehow beat Floyd or make it close and interesting and then come back to the UFC. And all that going down is a longshot at best and even that might be an overly optimistic way to define it.

[JASON SHAW]

DANA WHITES OWN MOTHER CALLS HIM A LYING SCUMBAG.... NO ONE CAN BELIEVE THAT SKIN HEAD **** WANNABE.... CONOR NEEDS TO LEAVE UFC...

[Gillie]

Yes I agree with Espinoza. I think Dana knows he's between a rock and a hard place here. Conor is the biggest ppv draw not just MMA but in combat sports right now. And he's right in his prime still and should in theory have a couple more years, worse case, of huge ppv fights even in the highly competitive world of the UFC.

That being the case what happens when Conor gets $100M or gets embarrassed vs Floyd. Does it f#ck up his drawing power for the UFC? Does he even wanna fight anymore after that sorta windfall or does he just get cozy with that caliber of success and he falls off like so many fighters do when they make huge money?

But if Dana doesn't look like he's making an honest effort then he has to deal with a Conor who'll feel like he's being screwed over and he might pursue the very real issue with UFC contracts being illegal or trying to find an out with the Muhammad Ali act as many have theorized about him using to get this fight made.

Don't envy Dana in this situation as any situation that goes down could be a L for him and the UFC and the only real W for the UFC would be if Conor were to somehow beat Floyd or make it close and interesting and then come back to the UFC. And all that going down is a longshot at best and even that might be an overly optimistic way to define it.

I get that Connor wants to make a massive windfall. Makes total sense. However, he must realize that he is going to be humiliated and probably over the course of 12 rounds. Floyd will probably toy with him. That can only adversely impact his UFC drawing power so I suppose the logical conclusion would be that this is a cash out. That said, do you think Connor's ego would be able to handle getting beat up like that (even though he would be ridiculously rich)?

[Eff Pandas]

I get that Connor wants to make a massive windfall. Makes total sense.

For sure.

However, he must realize that he is going to be humiliated and probably over the course of 12 rounds. Floyd will probably toy with him.

That's definitely the most likely outcome by a mile.

That can only adversely impact his UFC drawing power

Although I don't necessarily agree with this although its a possibility. I'm an avid MMA fan. Its my 2nd favorite sport to boxing. And MMA fans aren't anything like boxing fans.

Plenty of MMA guys take L's. Conor's took 3 L"s in MMA matter of fact. And all of them are pretty embarrassing & quick submission L's as many fans & pundits see it on top of that. Plenty of MMA guys have dipped their toes in other combat sports & taken L's & no one gives a f#ck since those combat sports aren't MMA. So I think people are thinking boxing reality for an MMA fighter.

Now if Conor was a boxer & he loses 12-0 to Floyd or got stopped in 3 or whatever his value probably does go down a lot. But being an MMA guy in another combat sport isn't something most MMA fans will take as much of a mark on Conor's resume in MMA. And I actually think with how big this fight will be if it gets made & the way Conor keeps bringing up that he'd "kill Floyd on the street" & sh^t like that has already set the stage for his post-fight speech on his L. "Aw right Floyd you were the better man tonight...now come fight me in the cage" or "come meet me out back" or something like that. Conor is no dummy & will angle this well whatever goes down.

so I suppose the logical conclusion would be that this is a cash out.

I'd call it a money grab more than a cash out. I think Conor will fight again regardless of what were to happen if the Floyd fight goes down. Cash out implies he's done with fighting or done with serious fighting. This boxing thing is just an opportunity that popped up & his taking advantage of it. Can't blame the guy for that.

That said, do you think Connor's ego would be able to handle getting beat up like that (even though he would be ridiculously rich)?

Go watch Conor's MMA L's. Go watch the Joe Duffy L before he got to the UFC & the Nate Diaz L, that most have already seen probably, specifically. He tapped out mad quick in all three of his L's in my eyes & he just sorta gave up I'd even go so far as to say. He definitely quit before he tapped to Diaz.

He's still a competitive guy & I think he's got a belief in himself like few others in combat sports. He's been humbled before & he's been extremely mature & gracious in his L's & despite the repetitive nature of the type of L's he's taken I think each L has improved his determination & skill. And an L to Floyd will be no different & MMA fans understand that & are more forgiving of losses maybe for those sorts of reasons cuz its a common thing in MMA for guys to win or learn.

[Nightfall]

good because this **** is silly. a pure money grab. floys should fight thurman or retire permanently. this mcgregor **** can go to the trash can

[Cheek busting]

I can see it from both perspectives (from UFC): 1.) It's a potential SHYT TON of revenue generated; 2.) If Conor loses badly, as in gets KTFO'd and not just spoiled and outpointed, then could it effect Connor's future revenue-generating ability for the UFC?? Would it effect revenue in general for the UFC should Conor simply choose to walk into the sunset after the phat payday?

I mean, McG usually fights 3 times a year, and he generates 1.5-2 million buys. So he could realistically make just as much, or probably even MORE (since there's no share for Mayweather and it's all in-house) over the course of 2-3 fights?

[RSBonos]

I mean, McG usually fights 3 times a year, and he generates 1.5-2 million buys. So he could realistically make just as much, or probably even MORE (since there's no share for Mayweather and it's all in-house) over the course of 2-3 fights?

The UFC doesn't want to start paying him 20 million per fight, which he deserves and should ask for.