UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov continues to walk on thin ice following the untoward incident that went down at UFC 229. While debates rage on penalties and sanctions that should be meted out, the Russian seems to have redirected his attention towards retired boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Thanks to a video posted by Mayweather’s promoter Leonard Ellerbe, the 30-year-old Russian mixed martial called on Mayweather to face him. In the video, he singled out how both are undefeated but pointed out how he dropped Conor McGregor at UFC 229. During their fantasy boxing match, Mayweather outboxed the Irishman but was unable to drop him to the canvass, Manila Bulletin Sports said.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. has yet to respond to the challenge. Assuming that the undefeated boxer would oblige, it remains to be seen if this will be a boxing match or in the cage. Of the two, it seems to be the former. It should be noted that Nurmagomedov has no professional boxing experience like McGregor.
Thus far, the only thing close to seeing Mayweather return to the ring is a rematch with Manny Pacquiao. That could happen in 2019 with both boxing icons looking to face separate foes before possibly clashing once more in a match that is expected to rack in millions once more although not as enormous as their first meeting back in 2015.
Knowing Mayweather, he is likely to study the revenue-earning potential. A clash with the UFC star could be something although pale compared to a sequel fight with the Filipino boxer.
There is a chance that Mayweather could use Nurmagomedov as his warmup fight against Pacquiao in the ring. To date, Adrien Broner has been mentioned as a possible opponent for Floyd but nothing has progressed, the Philippine Star said. The 29-year-old pug is also on Pacquiao’s radar with Berto as an alternative foe.
Should Mayweather be serious about a Pacquiao rematch, it seems only logical that he faces an actual boxer than facing mixed martial artist. Such a choice is expected to draw criticism once more although the earnings from a potential clash could be too hard to resist.
For Nurmagomedov, the fact is that he is still facing flak for that outburst at UFC 229. He needs to face the Nevada commission first for his post-fight actions and it has yet to be known on what potential sanctions he may face.
Despite the UFC 229 drama, it seems that Nurmagomedov’s next opponent is already being lined up. Other than a rematch with McGregor, the name of Tony Ferguson has been mentioned, ESPN said.
