After Max Holloway stopped Jose Aldo for a second time to retain his UFC featherweight title this past Saturday, former champion Conor McGregor took to social media to take veiled shots at the new king of the 145-pound division. But while McGregor is attacking fighters he’s already beaten, the last man to beat McGregor was attacking the Irish superstar in kind.

Taking to his social media (video via Fight Hype), Floyd Mayweather Jr. declared that his August fight against McGregor was actually easier than it appeared and that he carried McGregor to put on a better show for the fans.

“Everybody tried to protest the Mayweather-McGregor fight, right? But I’m gonna tell y’all the truth, I’m gonna tell y’all the truth. You know I carried McGregor. You know I made it look good for y’all.”

One of the major narratives coming from the aftermath of the crossover superfight was the success McGregor appeared to have early on in the bout despite having never boxed before. McGregor actually landed more punches against Mayweather than did several of his most notable opponents, including future boxing Hall of Famers Miguel Cotto, Manny Pacquiao, and Shane Mosley. Several boxing figures had previously suggested the reason for this was Mayweather allowing McGregor to have success early, but this is the first time Mayweather himself has given credence to that speculation. In fact, Mayweather previously said that McGregor’s success was part of his game plan to tire the UFC champion out.

Needless to say, McGregor certainly would dispute Mayweather’s claim as the lightweight champion has said he knows he’d beat “the little motherf**ker” in a rematch, but “Notorious” currently has other fish to fry as, aside from possible fights with Tony Ferguson, Nate Diaz, Max Holloway, or even boxing matches against Manny Pacquiao or Oscar De La Hoya on the horizon. But whenever McGregor does respond to Mayweather, you can at least be certain that he won’t be pulling any punches.

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MUST-READ STORIES

Max. Max Holloway says Conor McGregor is content holding onto win from “when we were kids.”

Move on. Luke Rockhold thinks Georges St-Pierre should move on from middleweight division.

No Time. Volkan Oezdemir is confident felony charge won’t affect his UFC title shot.

Response. Jose Aldo’s coach responds to critics following UFC 218.

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VIDEO STEW

Rafael Lovato Jr. is turning into a very solid middleweight.

Chael talking about Alvarez-Gaethje.

Oscar letting go of the fight no one wanted.

These two guys did it again and now I’m certain this guy is the one to take the belt off Ngannou.

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LISTEN UP

The MMA Hour. Holloway, Oezdemir, Poirier, and Rockhold were on yesterday.

Anik and Florian. UFC 218 recap and Henry Cejudo interview.

The Co-Main Event. What’s next for Holloway and Ngannou, and the Conor McGregor question.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

This is gonna be dope.

Twitter beef.

Take all my money, Rener.

Shannon Sharpe putting Dana on blast.

#Nowyouknow.

Making friends.

JDS saying he will stop Ngannou whenever they fight.

Everyone is ducking everyone.

Joanna back to work.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Timothy Johnson (11-4) vs. Luis Henrique (10-4); UFC Belem, Feb. 3.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

In a close contest, Alvarez-Gaethje edged out Medeiros-Oliveira which I was a little bit surprised by but I guess the people have spoken. That’s gotta be the frontrunner for FOTY then.

Anyway, take it easy and see y’all tomorrow.

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EXIT POLL

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