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Floyd Mayweather defeats Conor McGregor in Las Vegas

CONOR McGregor and Floyd Mayweather’s megafight ended in tears for the Irishman as his final request was stonewalled.

Jai Bednall and James Matthey
14 min read
August 27, 2017 - 7:36PM
McGregor’s wish went unheeded.
McGregor’s wish went unheeded.

Live: Conor McGregor vs Floyd Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather’s boxing record is still perfect, defeating Conor McGregor at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday.

TWO years ago — immediately after Floyd Mayweather outpointed Manny Pacquiao in what was then the biggest fight in history — Conor McGregor posted an eerily prophetic tweet.

“That felt more like a business transaction than a fight,” McGregor wrote. “Respect to Floyd though. Boxing is not the style of fighting to stop him.”

On Sunday in Las Vegas, McGregor proved himself right.

As Mayweather often says, God only made one thing perfect and that’s his boxing record. The greatest fighter of this generation will retire 50-0 after dominating the UFC champion before finishing him via TKO in the 10th.

“He’s a tough competitor and I think we gave the fans what they wanted to see,” Mayweather said. “I said I owed them for the Pacquiao fight, I needed to come straight ahead — and that’s what I did.

“He’s a lot better than I thought he’d be. He’s a tough competitor, but ​I​ was the better man tonight.

“Our game plan was to go straight ahead. I said numerous times that I wouldn’t back down and that’s what I did.”

Just like he did after losing in the UFC for the first time against Nate Diaz, McGregor took the loss well.

“I thought I won the early rounds pretty handy,” McGregor said. “He’s composed. He’s not that fast, he’s not that powerful, but boy was he composed.

“I thought it was close though and I thought it was a bit of an early stoppage. I was just a little fatigued. He was just a lot more composed with his shots.

“I have to give it to him, that’s what 50 pro fights will do for you.”

The fight was closer than expected but Mayweather was too classy.
The fight was closer than expected but Mayweather was too classy.

McGregor fought well above the level many expected of him, out-punching Mayweather 51-40 in the opening five rounds. However, despite seemingly being on top early, two of the three judges only gave “The Notorious” one round.

Mayweather’s dominance shone through as the fight wore on. He landed 170 of 320 punches while McGregor collected with 111 of 430 attempts.

The ridiculous build-up to the fight suddenly fell flat in the hours before the contest. The crowd was stale, technical difficulties experienced by people trying to watch at home saw the opening bell delayed and the Irish crowd that had been so inspiring at the weigh-in were nowhere to be seen. Sky high ticket prices will do that.

McGregor’s entrance didn’t feel quite right either. The music was a little different, white shorts were a weird choice — and it was strange to see him enter a ring instead of a cage.

Mayweather’s introduction was the opposite. His masked headwear was frighteningly perfect and he relished having most of the people sitting in the rich seats on his side.

Referee Robert Byrd strangely laboured his final message to the fighters too, appearing to target McGregor by saying: “This will be a clean fight … under boxing rules.”

The MMA star answered the bell by leaping to the middle of the ring. Floyd covered up on the ropes to avoid any early disaster in a deliberate strategy to let McGregor expend energy.

The southpaw’s best moments were avoiding Floyd’s right and then countering but the older man hardly threw.

The second round was more of the same as the hopes of the McGregor Army started to rise. Mayweather largely kept his guns in the holster and when he did load up on the right McGregor’s head movement was up to the task. There were some awkward moments where McGregor found himself beside Mayweather and had to hold himself back from doing anything that would get him disqualified. It appeared to be going his way though.

McGregor was warned for hitting the back of Mayweather’s head early in the third. He began initiating the clinch but was touching Mayweather with his jab. The crowd exploded at any sign of McGregor connection but Mayweather looked comfortable enough.

Mayweather’s right hand was more potent than McGregor’s left.
Mayweather’s right hand was more potent than McGregor’s left.

Perhaps sensing he’d drop a couple of rounds, Mayweather was largely the aggressor in the fourth. McGregor took a while to adjust to the change in momentum and started breathing a little heavier. He sat and waited to land a counter without success and Mayweather was either on the board — or even in the fight depending on how you scored the first.

Mayweather continued to swarm forward in the fifth. McGregor had promised not to take a backward step but he was in reverse most of the round. He wasn’t planting his feet when he was throwing his punches and Mayweather was a man in control.

There was a bizarre sequence to begin the sixth as Mayweather turned and covered up while McGregor kept swinging for several seconds. But Mayweather was smelling blood and had the crowd on their feet as he began firing heavy shots. They weren’t all connecting but when he missed there wasn’t a lot of return fire.

The difference in class continued in the seventh and eighth. McGregor attempted to step around Mayweather to change angles and was clipped as he did. A follow up right hand emphasised the point: you haven’t got anything I haven’t seen.

McGregor struck below the belt early in the ninth but was beginning to get tagged. Mayweather chased the stoppage but while his blows were snapping back the Irishman’s head they weren’t truly rocking him.

They did in the 10th. McGregor’s resistance finally subsided under a flurry of blows and as the crowd roared Byrd stepped in — a little early in McGregor’s opinion. “Let me go down,” he said. “Let the man put me down.

“Where were the final two rounds? Let me walk back to my corner and compose myself.”

Plenty of boxing insiders will be lining up to do that after McGregor’s defeat but to go 10 rounds with a Hall of Famer on debut shouldn’t be underestimated.

Those who ridiculed the event as a blatant money grab — and overlooked the fact there hasn’t been a professional fight in history that wasn’t made with the financial considerations — should lighten up.

This wasn’t an epic sporting moment by any stretch of the imagination but it wasn’t the worst way to spend a day either.

2.05pm

What’s Floyd wearing?

Floyd Mayweather walked out to the ring wearing this. No, we don’t know what to make of it either.

What are you wearing, mate?
What are you wearing, mate?

One the other hand, everyone in Conor McGregor’s corner — including his cutman — were wearing custom made suits.

2pm

Strange atmosphere at T-Mobile Arena

Those at T-Mobile Arena questioned the lack of intensity at the venue, suggesting the atmosphere was falling flat compared to what was expected.

1.50pm

‘Potential disaster’ on the cards

The amount of people wanting to tune in to today’s megafight is causing massive issues for pay-per-view and live stream providers.

Logging into UFC Fight Pass — who sold a stream of the fight for nearly $60 — wasn’t possible for lots of fans because so many people were trying to access the site at once.

There were also reports coming out of America the huge strain was affecting people who’d purchased the pay-per-view to watch on TV.

ESPN is reporting the main event has been delayed because of per-per-view outages.

The expected start time of 1.55pm (AEST) now appears far too optimistic. The penultimate fight of the night between Gervonta Davis and Francisco Fonseca ended at 1.40pm, leading to fears there will be a long gap between fights.

US broadcaster Showtime released a statement to address widespread concern those who had paid for the fight wouldn't actually be able to watch it.

1.50pm

Undercard

Super featherweight

Gervonta Davis (19-0) vs Francisco Fonseca (19-1-1)

Gervonta Davis (19-0) lost his world title but kept his undefeated streak running with a wild stoppage of game challenger Francisco Fonseca.

Floyd Mayweather’s prodigy was stripped of his 130-pound title after missing weight by two pounds on Saturday.

The fight still went ahead and Davis put on a show throwing countless swinging uppercuts and often fighting with his hands behind his back.

It was a blow to the back of Fonseca’s head which finished it in the eighth. Some of the crowd saw it as illegal and wasn’t happy but it didn’t appear to land with a lot of force.

Light heavyweight

Badou Jack (22-1-2) defeated Nathan Cleverly (30-4)

Badou Jack became a two-weight world champion with a destruction of Welsh champion Nathan Cleverly.

Jack, who was coming off a draw against James DeGale in a fight for the undisputed super middleweight championship, made the step up in weight with ease.

He pounded on Cleverly’s body in the early going before forcing the referee to step in and declare an end to the contest in the fifth round.

“Jack was very strong. He caught me and broke my nose in the third round. It was a downward spiral from there. I was wounded and protecting myself. It’s horrible but part of the sport,” Cleverly said.

Badou Jack celebrates his win.
Badou Jack celebrates his win.

Cruiserweight

Andrew Tabiti (15-0) defeated Steve Cunningham (29-9-1)

Rising cruiserweight Andrew Tabiti (15-0) did what he was supposed to against former title-holder Steve Cunningham.

Tabiti was given the nod by all three judges (100-90, 97-93 x 2) against the 41-year-old gatekeeper.

Cunningham, who has fought the likes of Tyson Fury and Antonio Tarver in a long career, dropped to 29-9-1.

12.30pm

McGregor is in the building

In a surprise to absolutely nobody, Conor McGregor was the second fighter to arrive at the T-Mobile Arena.

Wearing a suit with his girlfriend pushing their son’s pram beside him, the Irishman strolled in with his trademark strut.

Mayweather arrived earlier and the cameras caught him receiving a bizarre head massage as someone lightly traced their fingers across his head.

12pm

Conor’s stunning weight gain confirmed

Conor McGregor weighed in a pound under the 154-pound (70kg) limit on Saturday but promised to beef up before he stepped in the ring. It looks like he’s kept that promise.

MMA journalist Ariel Helwani tweeted the news the Irishman will weigh roughly 170 pounds (77kg) when the first bell sounds on Sunday.

Mayweather had attempted to spread rumours about McGregor struggling to make the weight limit, but that never eventuated.

“I’m a professional, I make weight. It’s sacrifice, it’s dedication, it’s focus, but I make it,” the Irishman said on Saturday.

“Look at me, I’m in peak physical condition. I’ve put in the work as everyone can tell. I’m ready.

“(I’ll be) a lot bigger than him (by the time of the fight). I’d say close to 170, yes.”

11am

Preliminary card

He copped some punishment, but Yordenis Ugas (right) proved too good for Thomas Dulorme (left).
He copped some punishment, but Yordenis Ugas (right) proved too good for Thomas Dulorme (left).

Welterweight

Yordenis Ugas (20-0) defeated Thomas Dulorme (24-3)

Yordenis Ugas made the most of his last-minute call-up to fight Thomas Dulorne by edging his opponent in a unanimous decision (93-92 x 2, 94-91).

Ugas replaced Shawn Porter, who was supposed to headline the non-PPV portion of the card but pulled out after a death in his family.

Welterweight

Juan Heraldez (13-0) defeated Jose Miguel Borrego (13-1)

Juan Heraldez (13-0) rode a fast start to secure a unanimous decision (97-92 x 2, 96-93) against Jose Miguel Borrego (13-1).

Heraldez dominated early before Borrero came storming back with a huge ninth round, but it was too little too late.

Juan Heraldez (left) throws a punch at Jose Borrego.
Juan Heraldez (left) throws a punch at Jose Borrego.

Super middleweight

Mark Anthony Hernandez (10-1) defeated Kevin Newman (7-1-1)

Kevin Newman was the first Mayweather Promotions fighter to fall on the day in an upset decision defeat against Mark Anthony Hernandez (10-1).

Newman (7-1-1), recently named Nevada’s “Prospect of the Year”, lost by unanimous decision (59-54 x 2, 57-56).

Super middleweight

Savannah Marshall (1-0) defeated Sydney LeBlanc (4-4-1)

British boxer Savannah Marshall dominated in her debut fight, recording a unanimous decision win in a four-rounder against Sydney LeBlanc.

The Mayweather Promotions-signed fighter was a world champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist as an amateur and outclassed LeBlanc, whose record dropped to 4-4-1.

11.20am

‘This is going to be a dirty fight’

“This is some Bruce Lee s***.”
“This is some Bruce Lee s***.”

Conor McGregor told us in his final press conference on Thursday (AEST) he’s been studying the rules of boxing and adhering to them strictly during his training camp.

It was his way of reassuring the world he isn’t going to suffer a brain snap and lash out with a knee or an elbow or try any other moves that are perfectly legal in the UFC Octagon, but not the boxing ring.

But the Irishman is still staying true to his MMA roots. We saw that at the presser when he posed in an MMA stance saying: “This is some Bruce Lee s***.”

Respected MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, who had an in-depth interview with McGregor in the lead-up to the fight, says the bout will be “dirty” as McGregor tries to find unorthodox ways to unsettle the American.

“Everyone thinks that Conor McGregor is going to go out there and try to outbox Floyd Mayweather. That’s a huge mistake, and he’s the first to say that,” Helwani told US sportscaster Colin Cowherd.

“He’s not going to try to outbox Floyd. How do we know that? First, he doesn’t have any boxing trainers in his corner.

“He’s not going in there as a boxer, he’s going in there as a martial artist.

“This is going to be MMA versus boxing. This is going to be a dirty fight. He’s going to frustrate Floyd, that’s what he’s going to try to do. Punch him in the elbow, punch him in the shoulder, he’s not going to try to slip and dip and actually box him, that would be a huge mistake and he recognises that.

“So yes expect an aggressive fight, expect a dirty fight from Conor. And maybe this is the way to beat Floyd.”

10am

‘The Rock’ heads celebrity support

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will be making a special appearance at the McGregor-Mayweather fight — or at least his voice will.

Fans that don’t catch a glimpse of the former wrestler turned movie star at the hottest ticket in town will still be able to hear him as he revealed via Instagram he’s provided a voiceover for the opening of Sunday’s bout.

He also said he caught up with McGregor during the week, saying there’s a “real visceral, raw, warrior mana (spirit) that he has in his blood”.

The Rock isn’t the only pro wrestling star interested in the fight by the looks of this snap from Las Vegas airport. The Big Show, who famously had a match at WrestleMania XXIV against Mayweather in 2008, looks like he’s heading to T-Mobile Arena to see if McGregor can even the score against a man who broke his nose.

6.30am

Late blows hit Team Mayweather

Team Mayweather was forced to make a late adjustment on fight day after a daring disruption by Conor McGregor’s fans.

The Irish have taken over Las Vegas ahead of today’s megafight and they were up to mischief last night.

A TMT “The Money Team” billboard positioned on one of the major roads here was hilariously defaced.

The artists wrote 49-1 in large white numbers to reveal their prediction of what Mayweather’s record - currently 49-0 - will be after today’s fight. And finished the job by painting an Irish flag.

Workmen were forced to remove the flag and cover the writing early this morning.

McGregor’s countrymen dominated the crowd at yesterday’s weigh-in and were singing in the streets well into the night.

“There’s a saying, you’ll never beat the Irish,” McGregor said. “You can’t beat us. We roll in and take over wherever we want. Las Vegas is Ireland now.”

The slight comes after Team Mayweather was dealt a crushing blow at yesterday’s weigh-in when the American’s protege — IBF super featherweight champion Gervonta Davis — was stripped of his title for failing to make weight ahead of his fight against Francisco Fonseca on Sunday’s undercard.

Davis missed the 130-pound (60kg) limit by two pounds, ending any hopes he had of defending his belt. The fight will still go ahead but if Davis wins, his strap will remain unclaimed.

Mayweather Promotions represents the 22-year-old, who boasts an 18-0 record with 17 knockouts.

“There are a lot of fighters who are world champions who are not as big as Gervonta is,” Mayweather once said about him. “He’s connected to me but also he can fight. I would say this: Gervonta is not just the youngest world champion, he’s one of the most exciting fighters in boxing.”

This isn’t the first time Davis has had weight troubles, needing three attempts to make weight when he first defended his title against Liam Walsh in May. Mayweather was ringside on that occasion, barking instructions at the youngster as he destroyed Walsh inside three rounds.

“Tank (Davis) is the future of boxing. He’s me from a few years ago — same burning ambition,” Mayweather said after that bout.

The undercard had already suffered a blow when former IBF welterweight champion Shawn Porter pulled out of his fight against Thomas Dulorme because of personal reasons including a death in the family. He has been replaced by 2008 Olympic Bronze medallist Yordenis Ugas.

6am

Mayweather mocks McGregor’s erection

Conor McGregor excited at the weigh-in.
Conor McGregor excited at the weigh-in.

Both Mayweather and McGregor’s bodies rated a mention as the pair weighed in on Saturday (AEST).

The boxing legend mocked the Irishman when he walked on stage with what looked like an erection, while Mayweather’s nether regions also provided a talking point as he rocked green undies provided by an Irish bookmaker with some fine print: “Always bet on black.”

McGregor was a pound under the 154-pound (70kg) limit when he stepped on the scales before Mayweather weighed in at a surprisingly light 149.5 pounds.

McGregor revealed on stage he expected to weigh around 170 pounds (77kg) when the bell sounded and ridiculed Mayweather for looking out of shape.

“He looks like dog s***,” McGregor said. “You know that. He looks blown out. Full of water. He’s not going to keep my pace. Trust me on that. That’s the worst shape I’ve ever seen him.

“I’m going to breeze through him. Trust me on that.”

Mayweather had attempted to spread rumours about McGregor struggling to make weight, but he’s never missed weight in his entire UFC career and he didn’t start now.

“I’m a professional, I make weight. It’s sacrifice, it’s dedication, it’s focus, but I make it,” the Irishman said. “Look at me, I’m in peak physical condition. I’ve put in the work as everyone can tell. I’m ready.

“(I’ll be) a lot bigger than him (by the time of the fight). I’d say close to 170, yes.”

6am

Firecracker waiting to explode

The time for talking is over.
The time for talking is over.

The hype machine has been in overdrive ever since the bout was confirmed in June. McGregor and Mayweather were at their trash-talking best during a world press tour that saw them trade verbal barbs in Los Angeles, Toronto, New York and London.

Their grand entrances into Las Vegas during the week weren’t exactly quiet either, particularly for McGregor. He was involved in a scuffle with a member of the American’s entourage before being confronted by bitter sparring partner Paulie Malignaggi, who took offence to the UFC icon’s camp posting a photo of him on the canvas on social media.

Thursday’s final press conference was more subdued. Both men knew by this time, whatever they said didn’t matter — their fists were about to become far more important than their tongues.

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