The UFC’s Conor McGregor has finally agreed to a deal to jump in the ring with boxing champ Floyd Mayweather. The ball is now in Mayweather’s court to cement the deal and set up the bout.
The “will they or won’t they” fight between McGregor and Mayweather has been an event in itself, with both sides boasting that the other is afraid to get in the ring. But, mostly it came down to the cash.
McGregor has been angling for as much as he can get and now it looks like he has agreed to a $100 million payout just to throw the first punch, according to gossip site TMZ.
But, the undefeated Mayweather has insisted all along that he deserves double, if not triple, what McGregor might get because, Mayweather says, he is far more famous and a bigger draw at the gate.
Mayweather has also taunted McGregor, saying that the UFC fighter can’t expect much more cash for the fight because he’s never earned that much in his life.
Now it is up to Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White to nail down the final details with Al Hayman of Mayweather’s camp to set the fight.
McGregor issued a statement on his website TheMacLife.com. “It is an honour to sign this record breaking deal alongside my partners Zuffa LLC, The Ultimate Fighting Championship and Paradigm Sports Management,” McGregor said.
“The first, and most important part of this historic contract has now officially been signed off on. Congratulations to all parties involved. We now await Al Haymon and his boxer’s signature in the coming days,” he wrote.
Still, according to Fox Sports, the biggest payday McGregor has earned in the past was $3 million, so a $100 million take would be quite a feat.
But, as TMZ notes, McGregor seems to think the deal is set because he was seen shopping for million-dollar yachts last night.
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston or email the author at igcolonel@hotmail.com