McGregor: Bout with Mayweather will be at end of 2017 or early 2018
"Mystic Mac" unleashed a blockbuster prediction during a pay-per-view exclusive interview on Saturday in Manchester, England.
When host Ariel Helwani inevitably directed the conversation toward a heavily discussed bout with boxing star Floyd Mayweather, McGregor explained that the fight has been in the works for longer than people know and he expects to fight Mayweather in 2017 or early 2018.
"I believe it will happen at the end of this year or at the beginning of next year," said McGregor.
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McGregor went on to say that it's his opinion that he could make the fight happen with or without the UFC now that he's registered as a boxer in California. Professional boxers are protected by the Ali Act, which restricts the amount of control promoters can have over their athletes. However, he also acknowledged that everything will go smoother if the UFC, Mayweather Promotions, and the Irishman's own McGregor Promotions are on the same page.
Despite there being several challengers to McGregor's lightweight belt and his own claim that he isn't finished with fighting at 145 pounds, "The Notorious" was adamant that his immediate future is in the boxing ring.
"The next time I walk into a combat arena it will be stepping through the ropes wearing eight-ounce or 10-ounce (boxing) gloves," said McGregor.
He then closed out the formal portion of the interview by shouting, "F--- Floyd Mayweather! I'll see you soon. I'll see you soon."
- With h/t to Shaun Al-Shatti of MMA Fighting and Chamatkar Sandhu of MMAjunkie