Floyd Mayweather, Jr. spoke recently with Fight Hype and discussed his next move. Now retired, albeit likely not permanently, Mayweather, 39, has since 2007 promoted boxing matches through his Mayweather Promotions, and has over a dozen boxers signed.
However, FMJ says it is time for him to start promoting MMA.
“They want me back [to boxing].” said Mayweather to Luis Sandoval. “It’s time for me to move over to MMA. I mean talking as far as getting … It’s time for me to start promoting fights, you know, for the MMA. I’m ready to get involved with that business now.
“And of course, you already know what the MGM Grand stands for – ‘Mayweather Gets Money.’ I’m still doing that, every month, the check comes in.”
The history of monied figures entering the MMA promotional space has historically been one of paying fighters well, and then leaving. Paying fighters well is awesome, so the entrance of a deep pocketed businessman like Mayweather would be be a blessing.
First though, someone has got to tell him it is not “the MMA.” He wasn’t the greatest fighter of his generation in the boxing. Same thing.
Mayweather is no stranger to the sport, or its stars.
When Mayweather received criticism from MMA fighters, notably Ronda Rousey, and gently hit back with a swipe at the entire industry.
“I’m in the $100 million business, not the $100,000 business,” said Mayweather about MMA to FOX Sports last year. “I shouldn’t even be stooping to certain levels, because it doesn’t make any sense. People that’s in MMA, I wish them nothing but the best. I don’t have anything negative to say about them. The hand I was dealt in life, I was dealt a royal flush and I just have to be thankful and appreciative of the hand I was dealt.
“I don’t have anything negative to say about anyone. I wish every one of them nothing but the best.”
When you are fighting at FMJ’s level, a champion being paid $100,000 doesn’t look enticing. However, now that he has moved to the promoter’s side of the equation, paying a champion only $100,000 may seem very enticing indeed.
