When the crossover superfight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor was first speculated about over a year ago, much of the conversation revolved around under what rules the potential bout might be contested under. Would it have to be strictly Marquess de Queensberry rules or would Mayweather consent to some sort of modified hybrid rules that would allow some kicking or elbows? When the dream bout was turned into reality last week, we had our answer: the contest would be waged under pure boxing rules with 10 ounce gloves. But there’s a big difference between what the rules stipulate and what actually happens once two men are in the ring. And according to some people, it might be in the best interest of McGregor to pay no mind to the rules of engagement.

On the most recent episode of his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, UFC commentator Joe Rogan suggested that McGregor abandoning all decorum and kicking Mayweather would “f**ked up” but would also turn him into a folk hero.

“[If McGregor kicked Mayweather], that would be f**ked up. There’s probably some stipulations in the contract that say, ‘you can’t get him in an armbar or choke him.’

“[But] could you imagine? He would be a god damn folk hero. If they got in close and Floyd was shucking and juking on the outside and he threw a jab to cover up a left high kick and that left high kick necks him? Just clang! And you see Floyd go limp - and he would go limp. He’s never been high kicked like that. Jesus, that would be crazy.”

On last week’s conference call after the fight was announced, UFC President Dana White assured the media that such a thing would never happen and that the contract had stipulations in effect strictly preventing such actions. In White’s words, “Conor would depart with a lot of money if that ever happened.”

As White also pointed out in that conference call, McGregor “likes money, man” thus seeing him forfeit potentially millions of dollars seems unlikely. But money isn’t everything, and Rogan says it would be worth it, so long as McGregor doesn’t care about burning any future crossover bouts to the ground behind him.

“Would it be worth it? It would but it would f**k everything up because no one would ever trust another fighter from MMA to ever fight a boxer in a boxing match again.”

Now there’s something to hope for.

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MUST-READ STORIES

Stripped. The UFC officially stripped Germaine de Randamie of her featherweight title.

Unaware. Germaine de Randamie was unaware she was being stripped of her title.

Reebok. Conor McGregor not tied to Reebok sponsorship for his boxing bout.

Split. Mike Goldberg and Mauro Ranallo will split broadcasting duties of Bellator NYC.

Confidence. Conor McGregor’s boxing coach has “no doubt” he will beat Floyd Mayweather.

Review. Edmonton will launch an independent review of boxing death of Tim Hague.

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VIDEO STEW

Check out the new look studio.

Champions makes some solid video content.

TTTHS.

She’ll be fighting for some small show before the end of the year.

Andre Berto is not correct.

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LISTEN UP

Severe MMA. Mayweather-McGregor and Bellator NYC discussions.

Bushido Talk. UFC Singapore review.

Anik and Flo. Tony Ferguson and Kevin Iole interviews.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Check the background.

True but if they’ll have to win the bidding war.

Well-wishes.

Tony cuts from 205 and thinks he can make 145?

Also, like they’d ever make him vacate now.

GDR’s Instagram is private.

When you leave an organization, you also leave the title.

Very cool of her indeed.

Good fight.

Damn.

Trying to get a fight.

Congrats.

This is a good one.

Ian McCall going for his vengeance any way he can.

And he’s making peace with old enemies.

Please. Please make it stop.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Tonya Evinger (19-5, 1 NC) vs. Helena Kolesnyk (5-0, 1 NC); Invicta FC 24, July 15.

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TODAY IN MMA HISTORY

2004: It was a big night for slams as two of the most iconic slams happened at Pride Critical Countdown 2004. In the main event, the Randleplex occurred when Kevin Randleman suplexed Fedor Emelianenko; Emelianenko went on to win the fight by kimura moments later. Earlier that evening, Quinton Jackson knocked out Ricardo Arona with a slam affectionately referred to as “the Arona-bomb.”

2015: Joanna Jedrzejczyk stopped Jessica Penne in the third round of the main event of UFC Fight Night 69, retaining her strawweight title.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Conor will not kick Floyd in the head.

Floyd is . . . not a good person.

Floyd deserves to get kicked in the head.

But Conor will not do that.

Instead, Conor will lose every round of this fight.

And there probably won’t be that many of them.

If he chose to kick Floyd in the head, there would also not be many rounds.

But Conor won’t do that.

Instead, Conor will get thrashed and retire with his $150M. Good for him.

I wish Conor would kick Floyd in the head.

Take it easy y’all and Conor bless.

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