Dana won't hold McGregor back from Mayweather fight

[Filthy]

I'm still in the NoFuckingWayThisFightEverHappens camp.

Even at $100M for Conor, even if ALL of that goes to UFC, it's sets a precedent ripe for litigation. Dana White (and UFC) just doesn't want to be the "Bob Arum" in this PR circle jerk.

The only way this goes down is if WME is looking to fluff their value and dump the organization. But it's much too soon for them to be contemplating that move.

 

[GJdeux]

This just seems to make the UFC more of a joke and less of a sport. Dude can put things in the division on hold to fight a stupid circus fight. Of course they might have 5 interim champions by then so..... UFC can never say they are a sport doing this crap. imho of course

 

[Tuc Ouiner]

I think there are a lot of nervous celeb investors that are concerned that this multi-billion dollar investment has become a little precarious since their gold goose (the rowdy one) disappeared and now their cash cow (the lucky Irish one) may be in a bargaining position to leap to greener pastures. This would be a bit of blarney for the union organizers. Either way Dana is just a face to assure all those people that they don't have to worry about the eventual collapse of the UFC. Connor and Mayweather are gonna smash em. But like I said, its gonna be a snoozefest.

 

[Dat Pre-HollyHolm Ronda $]

When asked by TMZ about who McGregor was going to fight next, Dana White gave a UFC fighter as an option - and also threw Mayweather out there:

"I don't know. You know, he obviously has a lot of opportunities right now. Tony Ferguson is out there. The Floyd Mayweather thing is out there. We'll see how this thing plays out."

When the surprised reporter asked if it was still on the table, White confirmed it and said he wouldn’t hold McGregor back from it:

"Yeah, I mean there's...it doesn't make a lot of sense for my business, but I would never keep Conor from making that kind of money.”

Dana won’t hold McGregor back from Mayweather fight

"We all have to recognize our position and play their part" - Conor

Egg has learned his role and position. He works for Conor now

 

[Dat Pre-HollyHolm Ronda $]

What if WME-IMG produces the fight and Dana gets a slice? I'd be promoting it too.

If the production is anything like the bush league crap they
have done in the UFC so far... Nah I'm good. Let Money May and
his people handle the production

Edit... Just had a big ass laugh to myself just thinking
about the grade school level photoshop fight posters WME
would make for this event. LMAO

 

[Dat Pre-HollyHolm Ronda $]

I think WME-IMG will go for it. They need to make back that 4.2 billi.

Fo Realz!

I bet Ari will care about the costs when them 4.2 Billy
monthly loan payments start diggin off in that ass...

"I Don't Care What's Something's Actually Worth. I Only Care
About How Much Over The Actual Value I Can Sell It To Some Sucker For" - Lorenzo Fertita

 

[Zeph]

I think they reasoned things out and realised that if they continue down the road they are heading it would mean having their main star fight a legal battle against their contracts, which they just might lose. Better to keep the gravy train rolling by not standing in the way of this fight, take their cut, and not risk their contracts being scrutinized in court.

The sooner they get McGregor back the sooner they can keep racking it in.

 

[KWingJitsu]

Whelp!

BLAF's vague dick tuck means it's happening, and he's getting a cut on the back end.

 

[Greenbean]

What if they're actively encouraging Conor to do it... saying things like "we won't stop him from fighting Floyd". Then the fight happens and blam! Lawsuit for Conor's entire purse.

Be funny if UFC even negotiates on Conor's behalf for the max amount, cuz they know it'd really be all theirs.

 

[Andrewsimar Palhardass]

This just seems to make the UFC more of a joke and less of a sport. Dude can put things in the division on hold to fight a stupid circus fight. Of course they might have 5 interim champions by then so..... UFC can never say they are a sport doing this crap. imho of course

Why can't it just be fun? People act like there's some unwritten code here. Remember, this sport started with a sumo wrestler on his knees getting his tooth knocked out of his head by a kickboxer. This is about fun.

 

[Andrewsimar Palhardass]

I have re-thought my stance.

I assumed that Dana saying that he won't get in the way means that the UFC won't be involved. I think that's my error. I don't think he was insinuating that the UFC isn't going to get involved, I think he's just saying that they're not going to stop it, which means that they likely have been conceded a cut of this. Listen to Conor's interview with Ariel and if you're on the fence about this happening I think you'll start to lean toward it becoming a reality.

 

[Andrewsimar Palhardass]

What if they're actively encouraging Conor to do it... saying things like "we won't stop him from fighting Floyd". Then the fight happens and blam! Lawsuit for Conor's entire purse.

Be funny if UFC even negotiates on Conor's behalf for the max amount, cuz they know it'd really be all theirs.

Conor won't do it without a guarantee. Dude's got lawyers himself. He won't get played like that.

 

[La Paix]

Why can't it just be fun? People act like there's some unwritten code here. Remember, this sport started with a sumo wrestler on his knees getting his tooth knocked out of his head by a kickboxer. This is about fun.

I think the issue is that this could keep Conor away from defending title longer so we are stuck with shit like interim belts and the potential for linear champs to get fucked over a bit of they can't challenge McG.

Your right about who fought first in the begining but iirc it wasn't about fun, it was about who is the best fighter in an open rule setting with competing styles. A lot of time, effort and money later MMA became retry close to a legit sport with rankings and some what clear paths to the title and belts meant something to fighters and fans to a degree. Now it feels like all that sporting aspect is going away at a rapid rate so a select few can profit huge. I don't have any personal grudge against guys looking to make money or put on a fun fight, I love the odd freak show fights. What I don't like is how much it effects everyone else not on board with putting ticket sales and ppv buys as the #1 priority. Yes it's a business and all that but at some point I wish they'd make it much more about sport over specifically, a balance can be had here.

 

[Andrewsimar Palhardass]

I think the issue is that this could keep Conor away from defending title longer so we are stuck with shit like interim belts and the potential for linear champs to get fucked over a bit of they can't challenge McG.

Your right about who fought first in the begining but iirc it wasn't about fun, it was about who is the best fighter in an open rule setting with competing styles. A lot of time, effort and money later MMA became retry close to a legit sport with rankings and some what clear paths to the title and belts meant something to fighters and fans to a degree. Now it feels like all that sporting aspect is going away at a rapid rate so a select few can profit huge. I don't have any personal grudge against guys looking to make money or put on a fun fight, I love the odd freak show fights. What I don't like is how much it effects everyone else not on board with putting ticket sales and ppv buys as the #1 priority. Yes it's a business and all that but at some point I wish they'd make it much more about sport over specifically, a balance can be had here.

I totally see your side of it. I personally would love to see Conor defend his belt, but if this is an option I think I would have more fun overall with Floyd vs Conor. The buildup will be great, and the spectacle will be HUGE. I am annoyed by the interim belts too, but if we look at this situation from the outside, which party do you expect to stop it? To you, in a perfect world this fight wouldn't happen and I get that but at this point who do you expect to turn the opportunity down? All parties who have a say in this stand to profit massively, and I think the fans will have a good time as well, so while I do agree that the rankings and belts shouldn't be devalued like they have been I think this is a case where an exception to that is warranted.

 

[La Paix]

I totally see your side of it. I personally would love to see Conor defend his belt, but if this is an option I think I would have more fun overall with Floyd vs Conor. The buildup will be great, and the spectacle will be HUGE. I am annoyed by the interim belts too, but if we look at this situation from the outside, which party do you expect to stop it? To you, in a perfect world this fight wouldn't happen and I get that but at this point who do you expect to turn the opportunity down? All parties who have a say in this stand to profit massively, and I think the fans will have a good time as well, so while I do agree that the rankings and belts shouldn't be devalued like they have been I think this is a case where an exception to that is warranted.

Just to be clear I'm not saying that the fight should never happen, if it does I'm 100% watching it. I just think for the people involved to allow it get this far was short sighted thinking, good chance Im wrong here of course. FW and LW are a mess and now MW is turning shit because of these "money fights" that are expected now. Again, I get the appeal for fighters and some fans but I wish this Pandora's box wasn't opened. Either way I'm curious as to all of this plays out over the years.

 

[Andrewsimar Palhardass]

Just to be clear I'm not saying that the fight should never happen, if it does I'm 100% watching it. I just think for the people involved to allow it get this far was short sighted thinking, good chance Im wrong here of course. FW and LW are a mess and now MW is turning shit because of these "money fights" that are expected now. Again, I get the appeal for fighters and some fans but I wish this Pandora's box wasn't opened. Either way I'm curious as to all of this plays out over the years.

I agree with most of that. I do think Dana's recent talk of guys shutting up about "money fights" was sincere, though. I think we are going to see a bit of a drop in them. Bisping's situation is a unique one, and everything surrounding Conor is going to be unique because he came in with a vision that he's trying to realize at this point. Aside from that, the booking seems to be pretty standard. I do think the entertainment/"money fight" aspect will always be there, but I also think it's been a wacky year or so and it'll slide back to more conventional booking once the dust settles. I'm with you though, we both could be totally wrong about that.

 

[TedCzech]

When asked by TMZ about who McGregor was going to fight next, Dana White gave a UFC fighter as an option - and also threw Mayweather out there:

"I don't know. You know, he obviously has a lot of opportunities right now. Tony Ferguson is out there. The Floyd Mayweather thing is out there. We'll see how this thing plays out."

When the surprised reporter asked if it was still on the table, White confirmed it and said he wouldn’t hold McGregor back from it:

"Yeah, I mean there's...it doesn't make a lot of sense for my business, but I would never keep Conor from making that kind of money.”

Dana won’t hold McGregor back from Mayweather fight

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFoNFq4ffek

 

[Onetrickpony]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFoNFq4ffek

What fight was that at?

 

[tang]

Conor should make his own "Notorious" Promotion.

Fuk Dana, and the UFC

 

[Onetrickpony]

The look on Shoguns face says it all.

 

[Ghost Bro]

Conor McGregor vs Floyd Mayweather fight without UFC involvement would be 'stupidest thing ever', says Dana White

The only way this happens is if the UFC gets a taste..it will be hard to arrange as the UFC is noboxing promoter..and actually neither is TMT..so probably there's at least
3-4ways the money will be split and you can bet Floyds getting at least half of the pie..this is what's stopping things.
And Danus too

 

[Disciplined Galt]

The look on Shoguns face says it all.