Conor McGregor Open to Floyd Mayweather Boxing Match as UFC 189 Looms

UFC featherweight title contender Conor McGregor has admitted he would "certainly" welcome the challenge of taking on Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a money-spinning boxing match.

The charismatic Irishman faces Chad Mendes for the interim UFC belt on July 11 after seeing original opponent and vacating champion Jose Aldo ruled out with a broken rib, as reported by Marc Raimondi of MMA Fighting. The Las Vegas bout is likely to test McGregor's credentials like never before in the UFC, but he's already open to new challenges.

"If you're asking would I like to fight Floyd, who would not like to dance around the ring for $180 million?" McGregor told Conan O'Brien (h/t Raimondi).

The 26-year-old believes there is no way Mayweather would be able to compete in an MMA encounter. "I certainly know he would not want to step into my world, the world of pure unarmed combat where there is no limitations, but I would most certainly step into his world," he said. "I would certainly box him if the opportunity arose. Most certainly."

McGregor then appeared to blur the lines between MMA and boxing. He suggested few can compete with Floyd in a traditional boxing match, but that he'd get the upper hand if the squared ring is exchanged for the Octagon, as noted in his Conan interview:

There's no real fight in boxing left for Floyd anyway. After the Manny (Pacquiao) fight happened, there's no more real buzz. If you're looking for a fight that could generate interest, it must be across a match of different styles. I've said it before.

I don't feel boxing is the style of fighting that could beat Floyd. But saying that, there are many, many forms of fighting that can beat him. So, if we were to get it on, I would most certainly dismantle him also.

This isn't the first time a prospective bout against Floyd has been brought up. McGregor previously told Chris Jones of Esquire that he "would kill him in less than 30 seconds." Again, he made this comment when placing an emphasis on an MMA bout, with McGregor saying he would "wrap around him like a boa constrictor and strangle him."

Mayweather dismissed McGregor's original words in his response to TMZ Sports (h/t Mookie Alexander of Bloody Elbow): "I don't take that dude seriously. He's just trying to get himself some publicity."

It's fair to say Notorious' comments are a little more respectful this time around. Both he and Mayweather share similar qualities—their success has made them cocky, self-assured and highly entertaining in the trash-talk stakes—but it's fair to say either man would win in his chosen discipline.

McGregor is trained in a range of disciplines aside from boxing including kickboxing, taekwondo and karate. He'd likely take control by utilising Brazilian jiu-jitsu if he entered the Octagon against Floyd. But then again, Money's unique defensive style—one that has seen his record progress to a historic 48-0—would neutralise McGregor in a boxing encounter.

The first objective for McGregor should be to dominate the UFC. His record stands at 17-2 in the professional fight game, per ESPN. He is enjoying a 13-fight win streak dating back to his loss against Joseph Duffy in November 2010, having won all of his five encounters in the UFC. Mendes poses a huge challenge for him and will perhaps test McGregor's skills more thoroughly than Aldo would have.

It's likely Mayweather's boxing career will be long finished by the time McGregor manages to secure the title and then cement it against Aldo (if he manages this at all). The American boxer's last challenge is likely to be set in September, which suggests we'll never see the two sporting entertainers clash.