UFC’s Dana White says Mayweather v McGregor will be ‘biggest fight ever in combat sports history’

In this May 2, 2015, file photo, Floyd Mayweather Jr celebrates during his welterweight title fight against Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas. John Locher / AP Photo

Retired boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr and mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor confirmed plans for a long-awaited showdown on Wednesday.

Date set

Floyd Mayweather Jr’s August 26 bout with Conor McGregor will be “the biggest fight ever”, according to UFC president Dana White. Former multi-weight world champion Mayweather confirmed a deal has been agreed for a boxing match against mixed martial arts champion McGregor in Las Vegas on August 26. Mayweather will reportedly be paid more than US$100 million (Dh367.3m) for the contest, which will be broadcast on pay-per-view networks across the world.

Biggest payday ever

White, in whose organisation Irishman McGregor has become a dual world champion, told Fox Sports: “It’s definitely the biggest fight ever in combat sports history, and probably going to be the biggest payday ever. Let’s just put it this way – all sides involved are pretty happy with their deals!”

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Quiet year

Neither Mayweather nor McGregor have competed this year. Mayweather retired from boxing in 2015 after defeating Andre Berto with a record of 49 wins in as many contests, while McGregor (21-3) defeated Eddie Alvarez in November 2016 to win the UFC lightweight title.

He’ll fight anybody

Of what to expect when the two men get into the ring, White said: “I’m not saying Conor McGregor’s going to win. I’m not saying Floyd Mayweather’s going to win. But the reason Conor McGregor’s as big as he is is he’ll fight anybody, anywhere, anytime. He will go after Floyd Mayweather and he will try to knock him out.”

Build the undercard

White said the fight would be at 154lbs – light middleweight – telling Fox: “It’s going to be 12 rounds, they’re going to wear 10oz gloves, 154lbs, a boxing ring, Mayweather Promotions will build the undercard – it’s going to be a boxing event.” White added that there had seen nothing written into the contract for the match about a rematch clause.

* Agencies

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