A couple of weeks ago, the UFC announced that Conor McGregor had "relinquished" his UFC featherweight title. Many speculated that, despite the claim from Dana White and company, McGregor hadn't actually willingly given the belt up, something he more or less confirmed a week later when he declared he was still the champion and that the UFC is "fooling nobody." Given this adversarial environment, it's no surprise that just a few days after "giving up" the title, McGregor was issued a boxing license in the state of California, once again renewing talks of crossover superfight between himself and boxing great, Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Or not. Mayweather, Recently, while speaking with Fight Hype about the licensing, Mayweather threw cold water on the renewed idea of a superfight, saying McGregor's license was nothing more than a publicity stunt by the UFC champion.
"Man, I don't fight in California. What did he get a license in California for?
"He's blowing smoke up everybody's a**. He don't really wanna fight because I went to his boss. He don't want to fight, he's just doing that to keep his name alive, to stay relevant. He's doing that to build his followers. He's smart."
Mayweather brings up an interesting point: McGregor got licensed in California and Mayweather's a Vegas man. Mayweather hasn't fought outside of Nevada since 2005 and has fought exclusively at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for his last 12 fights dating back to 2007. The chance of a superfight happening between the two of them anywhere outside of Las Vegas (the place where, as McGregor has said, "big business happens to be") seems very slim slim but at the same time, McGregor has said he doesn't want to fight in Nevada again after receiving a hefty fine from the NAC for his press conference fiasco. This could prove to be one more massive impediment to what already seems a Sisyphean task.
Or the point could already be moot. Previously, Mayweather's been very willing to stoke the fires of a potential matchup between the two, and was even the one who first floated the idea out there to the masses. But in his most recent interviews on the subject, it seems like he's tiring of the game, dismissing McGregor's win at UFC 205 and his MMA accomplishments in general. Perhaps the jig is finally up?
Then again, when on Instagram live recently, Mayweather couldn't resist taking one more shot at the lightweight champion.
"I don't give a f**k what night it was, I ain't never takin' no L. I'm f**king McGregor up too. Punk a** McGregor, I'm gonna slap the s**t out of McGregor when I see him."
Hope springs eternal.
MUST-READ STORIES
Shenanigans. Holly Holm will fight Germaine de Randamie for the inaugural UFC women's featherweight championship.
Righteous anger. Cris Cyborg reacts to the UFC's decision to not include her in the 145-pound title fight.
Bjorn again. Jose Aldo says he's with the MMAFA and questions Bjorn's Rebney's inclusion in the MMAAA.
Garbage. Angela Hill's UFC return has been delayed due to USADA's wait list rules.
Vitor. Lando Vannata says his spinning head kick KO is better than Terry Etim's.
MEDIA STEW
Cub-Choi in super slo-mo is pretty freakin' dope.
Wandy talking MMAAA and Cro Cop.
Paige saying she'd fight Ronda at a catchweight.
A fun interview with the other Jon Jones. This guy is funny.
California Kid Live.
Sage Live.
LISTEN UP
I speak with Karim Zidan about Russian MMA and Ramzan Kadyrov.
Fights Gone By.
Anik and Flo.
TWEETS
Cyborg went off on Twitter. Tons of these. Here are the highlights but go check her timeline to see them all.
The worst part is I fought for the division. I didn't turn down I title fight I asked for a march date. 10 years no division and no respect
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) December 14, 2016
Just 2 months ago there was no girls at 145 to fight. Now they have a girl who's 0-2 fighting for the belt just to disrespect me.
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) December 14, 2016
You know what when you know your boss just doesn't want to @MiddleEasy promote you even though you work hard for the company
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) December 14, 2016
Anyone remember when the @ufc gave @RondaRousey a belt at a press conference? #cmonson I'm world champ 145 10 years the fans know the truth
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) December 14, 2016
If the UFC is forcing me to 140 and they know they are making 145 why did they want me to kill myself to fight? @KevinI @ufc @YahooSports
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) December 14, 2016
The @Ufc gives @RondaRousey 1 year to prepare for he belt, they can't give me 2 weeks. I am world champ this division was made for who?
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) December 14, 2016
I'm tired of working for a boss who doesn't like me
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) December 14, 2016
I have always done my best when I fight hoping @danawhite would respect that, but it's not going to change no matter how many fights I win
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) December 14, 2016
Anyone remember when Dana was on @WhitlockJason saying 145 had no women? It's personal not sport
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) December 14, 2016
.@DaRexPlex I'm happy there's a division. That's not the 145 world title though it's media manipulation dipped in gold
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) December 14, 2016
If @BellatorMMA and @ufc have a 145lbs champ but I havent lost in 10 years and Im willing 2 fight all, who is the real world champ? #CmonSon pic.twitter.com/wVK9TTr6UB
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) December 14, 2016
And on the day she became a US citizen too.
Today I became a Brazilian American, a symbol of all the hard work and opportunities I've received since moving to the USA 8 years ago. pic.twitter.com/pLa82P4eTE
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) December 13, 2016
Seems close to being official.
If Tony's team can come to terms.
I Agreed To Fight You, Now Need To Agree On Terms... Ball Is In Their Court. Sounds Like They Don't Want You To Lose Bud. https://t.co/F4cl96K5Mk
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) December 14, 2016
Yesterday was a big day for Grade A bulls**t.
Sorry guys, I know it was rumored I was fighting in Dec but it's not happening, here's why. pic.twitter.com/VOEyldLPLs
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) December 13, 2016
BIG NEWS COMMING SOON :) next fight is signed #mma #ufc #stefanstruve #skyscraper
— Stefan Struve (@StefanStruve) December 14, 2016
Now I have to apologize to UFC and @Anthony_Rumble
— Andrei Arlovski (@AndreiArlovski) December 13, 2016
I have never turned down a fight. My team turned it down for me when I was in Russia
Cerrone trying to get paid again.
Any and All 170 lb ers Please don't respond to this just call @danawhite or joe Silva and say " I will fight Cowboy January 28 in Denver "
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) December 13, 2016
Jorge not reading the Tweet at all.
When dudes don't want none ☕️ @Cowboycerrone #easymoney #makeufcgreatagin https://t.co/JkpRYD4egG
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) December 13, 2016
Hey don't tweet me. Call Dana I already said yes. You trying to do twitter shit talk does nothing. Call and sign the fight. https://t.co/eLOBQdjC8o
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) December 13, 2016
Man I've been doing the exact same thing. I would love to fight you in Denver. That's a fight the fans would love to see https://t.co/JGHRiVsBIU
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) December 13, 2016
Good point.
McGregor was stripped of the fW title but never stripped of the interim fW title he won against Chadwick Mendes. Conor is true interim champ
— superCalo (@superCalo) December 13, 2016
That belt is fire though.
LOOK THAT NEW RIZIN BELT... pic.twitter.com/APbWW1qwga
— Bruno Massami (@BrMassami) December 14, 2016
Man watching Vitor lose to a welterweight is gonna be depressing.
Not a small lightweight right there. (I know he's fighting at 170 this weekend).
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Justin Gaethje (16-0) vs. Luiz Firmino (19-7); WSOF 34, December 31.
Chinzo Machida (4-2) Jamar Ocampo (2-0); Bellator 170, January 21.
Kevin Casey (9-5-1, 1 NC) vs. Keith Barry (15-13); Bellator 170, January 21.
Henry Corrales (12-3) vs. Cody Bollinger (19-6); Bellator 170, January 21.
Guilherme Vasconcelos (8-3) vs. John Mercurio (8-7); Bellator 170, January 21.
Jack May (8-3) vs. Dave Cryer (11-2); Bellator 170, January 21.
Holly Holm (10-2) vs. Germaine de Randamie (7-3); UFC 208, February 11.
Rodolfo Vieira (0-0) vs. Sadyrbek Uulu (0-0); Real Fight, February 11.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2003: Vitor Ribeiro submitted Joachim Hansen with an arm-triangle choke to become the new Shooto lightweight champion at Shooto: Year End Show 2003.
2004: Tatsuya Kawajiri stopped Vitor Ribeiro with punches to claim the Shooto lightweight championship at Shooto: Year End Show 2004.
2012: Alexander Volkov won a unanimous decision over Richard Hale to claim the vacant Bellator heavyweight championship at Bellator 84.
2014: Demetrious Johnson colded Joseph Benavidez in their rematch, scoring a first round knockout to retain his flyweight championship at UFC on Fox 2.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Holly Holm is going to be the first woman to hold two belts in two different divisions in the UFC and man does that feel all wrong. Fair play to her but if Aldo and Rousey can just be promoted to UFC champion upon the institution of a division, Cris Cyborg could have been also. Not sure how to interpret this as anything other than a slap in the face to her. And all this happened on the day she became a US citizen. Talk about swings.
Also, if you've got the time and inclination check out the podcast with Karim Zidan in the Listen Up section. One of the best MMA related conversations I've ever had and one of the most fun to do. I'd love feedback.
Anyway, have a good one and see y'all tomorrow.
If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, just hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting because we post dope things and you should enjoy them.