mma / Columns

So McGregor Fought Mayweather – Now What?

August 28, 2017 | Posted by Dan Plunkett

Months of hype failed to convince most people that Conor McGregor had a significant chance of defeating Floyd Mayweather in a boxing ring.

Despite that, millions paid up to $99.95 to watch the two biggest stars of the world’s biggest combat sports meet at home. More dedicated or well-off observers paid thousands for a seat at the T-Mobile Arena to witness the cultural event in person.

The general consensus that emerged from the bout is that it shattered its low expectations. The fight was competitive until it wasn’t, although never once during the competitive portion did Mayweather’s confidence wane. In my view, McGregor took the first three rounds and kept it close in two others. Mayweather, perhaps only waiting for McGregor to tire out or needing the time to analyze his opponent before making any big moves, fought with heightened caution in the first three rounds.

According to CompuBox, Mayweather threw six punches in the first round, ten in the second round, and and twelve in the third. McGregor outlanded Mayweather 26-12 in those three rounds.

In the fourth, Mayweather nearly tripled his output from the previous round. By the sixth round, he had largely taken over the fight as McGregor faded, although McGregor still found a few brief moments of success before the fight ended in the tenth round.

McGregor performed well above expectations, increasing his value and likely his drawing power in defeat. Considering all potential outcomes, the result was among the best the UFC and McGregor could have realistically hoped for. He not only landed punches, he won rounds. Referee Robert Byrd (who was lenient when it came to roughhousing and illegal blows) stopped the bout before McGregor hit the floor, which saved McGregor from additional damage, rescued him from an even more definitive ending, and giving him a talking point going forward. Mayweather praised McGregor’s efforts and talent after the bout.

There had been speculation that McGregor would receive such a financial windfall from fighting Mayweather that it would end his fighting days altogether. Although he may pull in roughly $100 million from the bout depending how the pay-per-view sold, McGregor was adamant following the bout that he would fight again.

He did not commit to his next bout being in a four-sided ring or an eight-sided cage, but one makes significantly more practical and logical sense than the other.

There is no logical opponent for McGregor in boxing. Paulie Malignaggi, who has feuded with McGregor in recent weeks following photos and videos being released from a couple of sparring sessions, has pushed to fight McGregor. However, McGregor gains nothing from fighting Malignaggi, who retired following a knockout loss last year and would be favored to beat McGregor. The fight would be no bigger than some options McGregor has in the UFC, and its only real value is as leverage in negotiations with the UFC. Even so, McGregor needs UFC’s permission to box. Otherwise, he would find himself in a court battle that may keep him out of any kind of action. Further, my sense is that the public curiosity of McGregor in a boxing ring largely began and ended with the Mayweather bout.

In the UFC, McGregor has multiple options. In the lightweight division, three fighters are in serious contention for a shot at McGregor’s title, while another fighter is available to complete a lucrative trilogy with the lightweight champion.

In October, Tony Ferguson will fight Kevin Lee for the interim lightweight championship – a belt conjured from thin air for little reason. Neither Ferguson nor Lee is a star of any significance, however both have strong personalities that would clash well with McGregor’s in a fight build, especially Lee. Normally, the interim champion would be promised a shot at the actual champion upon his or her return, but McGregor has the leverage to trump normal operations.

The other lightweight in immediate title contention is Khabib Nurmagomedov, another strong talker whose biggest weakness is a constant stream of injuries that keep him out of the cage. Knee injuries kept him out of action for two years. He returned in 2016, looking as good as ever, causing UFC to book him in an interim title match with Tony Ferguson. The day before the fight, Nurmagomedov fell ill due to his strenuous weight cut and the fight was cancelled. At 24-0, Nurmagomedov may be the most deserving contender and the most dangerous match for McGregor, but his injury issues may keep him from being McGregor’s next challenger.

Last year, Nate Diaz took advantage of an injury to Rafael dos Anjos by agreeing to fight McGregor eight days later. It was the best decision of his career, as he submitted McGregor in the second round of one of the biggest fights in UFC history. Five months later, they ran it back and McGregor edged out a decision in a classic that reportedly set a new UFC high mark for PPV buys.

Diaz, 32, has expressed no interest in fighting anyone but McGregor since. He made enough money in the first two fights to never have to fight again, and a multi-million dollar payday to complete the trilogy with McGregor is probably the only fight that will get him back into the cage. To Diaz’s benefit, it appears that he is McGregor’s most-desired opponent.

Of course, McGregor’s options are not only limited to lightweight. He was never defeated as featherweight champion, and may want to reclaim that title from new champion Max Holloway. McGregor has fought twice at welterweight, and a meeting there with the returning Georges St-Pierre would be the biggest fight in UFC history. However, due to money (a fight with Holloway is likely the worst-drawing of all of McGregor’s realistic options) and timing (St-Pierre will fight for the middleweight title in November, and if he wins he would likely defend it against interim champion Robert Whittaker next), one of the lightweight options is more likely.

At this stage, the best option for Conor McGregor is a rubber match with Nate Diaz. It is the fight the most people want to see – it would likely surpass the records they set with their last fight – and allows McGregor the opportunity to erase any lingering doubts about which is the superior fighter.

McGregor vs. Diaz III is a disappointing prospect for the top lightweight contenders that have already waited a year for a shot at the championship. But McGregor is a fighter that chases personal goals above all else. He relentlessly pursued Jose Aldo. After losing to Diaz, he demanded a rematch at the same weight, even though it seemed like that was not the best move for him at the time. Then he decided to become a double champion and fight Eddie Alvarez. On Saturday, he competed against Floyd Mayweather in a boxing ring, a fight made possible only by McGregor’s special brand of self-belief, which sometimes flirts with delusion.

Conor McGregor is a unique fighter. For as long as his run lasts, it will be an interesting ride, and people will watch.

Dan Plunkett has covered MMA for 411Mania since 2008. You can reach him by email at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @Dan_Plunkett.