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These days, any time Conor McGregor is in the news, Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s name ends up not being far behind.
On Saturday, Conor McGregor knocked out Eddie Alvarez to claim his second UFC championship. It was a historic feat that stirred up questions about what would be next for the two division champion; it also sparked a war of words with the former pound-for-pound boxing king.
When Mayweather was asked his opinion on McGregor, he dismissed the Irish superstar as merely "piggybacking" off the Mayweather name, comparing McGregor to an ant and himself to an elephant. McGregor responded by saying Mayweather could "say it to my face." Then, Tuesday night, per TMZ, McGregor took over a DJ booth at a nightclub in New York City and took another shot at "Money" Mayweather.
"Floyd's not ready for this. Much respect to Floyd. He's a solid businessman. What he's been able to do, he's a f*cking animal at what he's been able to do. [But] as far as real fighting - true, pure unarmed combat - Floyd don't want none of this. He does not want none of this. He wants it under boxing rules. He wants a boxing match. He doesn't want a fight.
"Give Floyd a shout; tell him I'm coming. Tell him to run around Showtime offices. I want $100 million to fight him under boxing rules because he's afraid of a real fight."
It's a familiar refrain for McGregor who said the same thing back in August in the lead up to his rematch with Nate Diaz and has been saying substantively similar things since the fight was first rumored early this year. Mayweather always maintained that the match would have to be held under boxing rules and though McGregor never shied away from that aspect, he did take shots at Mayweather for not wanting to have a "real fight."
But though the jabs might be retreads, not everything is the same. When the rumors of a possible Mayweather-McGregor fight first started popping up, UFC President Dana White was very complimentary of Mayweather, saying he was open to the possibility but that Mayweather had to contact him about it. Now, it appears White has changed his tune.
"Conor McGregor...if he touches you, you go to sleep," White told TMZ. "Floyd puts people to sleep too, with his fighting style, not with his hands. You know how Floyd knocks people out? When they're not looking. Watch the Victor Ortiz fight."
"This kid's just getting started. This kid's 28 years old. Floyd can say what he wants about Conor, but even other fighters have to respect him. He's special. Floyd's never even come close to doing to other fighters what Conor does."
It's possible that White has lost his respectful tone because Floyd seems to be happy in retirement, telling USA Today that he is content with his retirement. Then again, Mayweather was the one who first postulated a fight between himself and McGregor as something different and interesting enough to get him to leave his retirement in the first place.
So who knows, maybe this time it'll actually stick. After all, as Mayweather has been known to say, "if it makes dollars, it makes sense" and there are few things in combat sports that would make more dollars than this fight.
MUST-READ STORIES
Keeping him down. Nate Diaz says the UFC wanted to keep him out of Madison Square Garden for UFC 205.
+175. Oddsmakers set Nate Diaz as the most likely next opponent for Conor McGregor.
Garbage. Lyoto Machida suspended for 18 months for anti-doping violation.
Battery. Roy Nelson suspended for nine months for kicking Big John McCarthy.
Market. Ryan Bader explains why he decided to not renew his UFC contract and test free agency.
EXTRA CREDIT
The Flying Knee MMA. The Naked Gamblerman gives a brief history of how dope flying knees are.
MEDIA STEW
This is a great series and you should check it out.
Khabib talking to MJ is harsh and beautiful.
Some more of that main stream coverage.
Vlog from Owen Roddy.
GSP answers some fan questions.
Full TMZ interview with Mayweather.
LISTEN UP
Heavy Hands
Fights Gone By.
Extra Rounds.
TWEETS
Best guess, they do Khabib-Ferguson for interim belt while Conor takes time off.
I want to fight for @ufc title for respect but if I don't get my title shot next I have different plan I won't be fighting in UFC @danawhite
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) November 16, 2016
Could be a fun build up here.
I love you @bisping #ynuevo pic.twitter.com/p0S0vxw6MA
— Yoel Romero (@YoelRomeroMMA) November 16, 2016
Jones has been active on Twitter last couple days.
Yes maybe even as soon as 2018 https://t.co/0RIASchWIP
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) November 17, 2016
High praise.
Think he will go down one of greatest BUT -n mma I'll take @FrankieEdgar & @TeamKhabib. Beat them your the best EVER https://t.co/rOP00UghSu
— Mark Henry (@MarkCoachmark13) November 16, 2016
Russia: 150 million -Khabib.
Hundreds of fans crowded the tiny Makhachkala airport in Dagestan to welcome Khabib back to Russia. Few fighters ever receive this treatment pic.twitter.com/hkfL628XvW
— Karim Zidan (@ZidanSports) November 16, 2016
Back on the grind.
Back on the grind #TeamRocky #wmma #ufc #hardwork #dedication #determination #passion #deadlifts#resistancebands pic.twitter.com/3wXYgwOWnD
— Raquel Pennington (@RockyPMMA) November 16, 2016
5 third-round finishes is pretty nutty honestly.
8 fights in @ufc 7 fights finished in 3rd round.... please tell me about cardio #ynuevo pic.twitter.com/Yc9vSoJY8d
— Yoel Romero (@YoelRomeroMMA) November 16, 2016
It'll happen one day I'm sure.
Red kit is decent.
Keeping it friendly.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Philipe Lins (10-1) vs. Kleber Silva (12-7, 1 NC); Bellator 168, December 10.
Dong Hyun Kim (21-3-1, 1 NC) vs. Tarec Saffiedine (16-5); UFC 207, December 30.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2000: Randy Couture won the UFC heavyweight championship for the second time when he defeated Kevin Randlemanat UFC 28. This was the first UFC event held under the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts and had the only ever UFC superheavyweight bout with Josh Barnett stopping Gan McGee. This night was also the UFC debut of Barnett and Andrei Arlovski.
2007: The UFC held its 100th event, UFC 78 which was headlined by a light heavyweight bout between Rashad Evansand Michael Bisping; it was the final light heavyweight bout of Bisping's career. This night was also when Houston Alexander stopped being for real as he was manhandled by Thiago Silva.
2012: Georges St-Pierre won unified the welterweight title belts by defeating Carlos Condit via unanimous decision at UFC 154.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Even Luke Thomas says this thing could maybe actually happen. I never thought I'd see the day.
Let Conor go chase after Floyd/take time off for his family. Have him drop the belts and promote Aldo to featherweight champion. He fights the winner of Holloway-Pettis. Khabib and Ferguson fight for the lightweight strap. All the divisions are suddenly back in full swing and everyone is happy. Foolproof plan.
And that's all folks. Have a great one and see you 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.
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