Conor McGregor discusses Floyd Mayweather and other options for MMA return

Over the last few days, undefeated boxing legend Floyd Mayweather has repeatedly eluded to a possible move to MMA. If Mayweather were to jump to MMA – an undeniably slim possibility – its hard to imagine he’d be welcomed by anybody but UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor.

McGregor addressed the possibility of an MMA bout with Mayweather shortly after a charity gala he attended in New York City on Wednesday night.

“I’d do as I’d please against him inside the Octagon,” McGregor said, speaking with Adam Glyn (h/t The Mac Life). “If he does do it — I know he’s flirting with it — I’d have respect for him. I think it would get his earned respect then if he was to step in. He’s engaging, we’re engaging, so we’ll see. I’m currently in negotiations to face my next opponent and we have many options.

“If it is [for publicity], it will follow him for the rest of his days,” McGregor added later. “If it is, it will follow him for the rest of his days that he did not do it. I said I would do it, and I stepped up and I done it. His time now. His go now.”

Given that Mayweather’s MMA talk probably is for publicity, McGregor will likely have to look elsewhere in the hunt for his next opponent. And he’s got some ideas to that end.

“There’s the current interim lightweight champion, there’s an undefeated Dagistani, there may be a big Russian event. There’s obviously the Diaz trilogy, of course the Mayweather fight is there. We’re just at the table at the moment. Times is good, life is good.”

Who do you want to see Conor McGregor fight in his anticipated return to the UFC’s Octagon? Join the conversation in the comments section.