Mayweather Recalls McGregor Rivalry Amid Rematch Rumors

Floyd Mayweather claims Conor McGregor adopted his promotional style following their high-profile 2017 boxing match.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts

Floyd Mayweather recently noted that Conor McGregor mimicked his promotional tactics, even as rumors of a 2027 rematch persist. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Floyd Mayweather recently noted that Conor McGregor began mimicking his promotional tactics after their 2017 boxing match. While rumors circulate regarding a potential rematch in 2027, UFC President Dana White expressed significant skepticism.

Why it matters

Dana White remains opposed to a second meeting between the two fighters because he sees little sporting merit in a contest that previously yielded a decisive result. The prospect of a rematch highlights the ongoing crossover between professional boxing and mixed martial arts.

The 2017 event generated over $600 million in total revenue and drew 4.3 million domestic pay-per-view buys. Mayweather finished the fight with a 10th-round TKO, extending his professional boxing record to 50-0.

The players

Floyd Mayweather

He is a professional boxer who retired with a perfect 50-0 record and gained fame for his high-earning pay-per-view events.

Conor McGregor

He is a mixed martial arts fighter who achieved status as the first simultaneous two-division champion in the UFC.

Dana White

He is the president of the UFC and a central figure in the promotion of major mixed martial arts events.

Francis Ngannou

He is a professional mixed martial artist who made a notable transition to high-profile boxing matches.

Tyson Fury

He is a world champion heavyweight boxer known for his technical skill and successful title defenses.

The details

Mayweather reportedly earned between $275 million and $300 million from the initial bout, while McGregor took home between $100 million and $130 million. This was a substantial increase for McGregor, who had previously earned a maximum disclosed purse of approximately $7 million in the UFC.

2016: Conor McGregor became the first simultaneous two-division UFC champion.
2017: Floyd Mayweather defeated Conor McGregor in a professional boxing match.
2023: Francis Ngannou participated in a boxing match against Tyson Fury.
2027: A potential timeframe for a rematch between Mayweather and McGregor.

Season Trajectory

The potential 2027 rematch follows the template of the 2017 Mayweather-McGregor boxing match by prioritizing commercial crossover appeal over traditional athletic rankings. This trend reflects a broader shift in combat sports where marquee exhibition bouts generate more revenue than standard division title defenses.

A potential 2027 rematch would likely require a high-revenue broadcast model similar to the previous event to satisfy the financial expectations of both participants. Fans should note that any future announcement regarding this fight would depend on the willingness of promotional entities to bypass traditional league rankings.

The takeaway

The sustained interest in a Mayweather-McGregor rematch demonstrates the lasting power of crossover events to draw massive commercial interest. Casual observers should recognize that these high-purse exhibitions are driven by star power rather than the standard competitive cycles of the UFC or professional boxing.