Mayweather vs. McGregor

[NDRock]

Is there any sports parallel to what McGregor did last night? I got nothing, other than maybe someone like Patrick Kane deciding to golf, and making the cut for the Masters in less than a year.

I'm not sure how appropriate that comparison is. Going from MMA to boxing seems a lot more natural than hockey to golf. The guy is a fighter. I also think this was the most likely outcome. Never really expected Floyd to come out and look like Tyson over Spinks. Seemed to play out just like Floyd planned. Now, I didn't see the fight so I'm not sure how good Conner looked. Guy seems like a great athlete and a warrior. I'm just not that surprised at the outcome.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

I'm not sure how appropriate that comparison is. Going from MMA to boxing seems a lot more natural than hockey to golf. The guy is a fighter. I also think this was the most likely outcome. Never really expected Floyd to come out and look like Tyson over Spinks. Seemed to play out just like Floyd planned. Now, I didn't see the fight so I'm not sure how good Conner looked. Guy seems like a great athlete and a warrior. I'm just not that surprised at the outcome.

McGregor had his moments early, but was clearly in over his head as everyone knew going in. I know the comparison is far from accurate, but can't think of anything else.

 

[NDRock]

McGregor had his moments early, but was clearly in over his head as everyone knew going in. I know the comparison is far from accurate, but can't think of anything else.

It does seem that McGregor has come out as the "winner" after the fight.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Mayweather vs. McGregor

It does seem that McGregor has come out as the "winner" after the fight.

ESPN just mentioned McGregor landed more punches in 10 rounds than Paquiao did in 12. He definitely didn't embarrass himself.

HOWEVER, I'm still not 100% convinced Mayweather wasn't simply giving the fans what they wanted for as long as possible before flipping the switch.

McGregor started to fade around the 6th, and IMO it probably could have ended around then if Mayweather wanted it to.

*It was probably the best possible outcome from a fan standpoint: there was an actual fight, where both guys were going for it at times, and a stoppage late enough to preserve the viewership.

 

[IrishLax]

ESPN just mentioned McGregor landed more punches in 10 rounds than Paquiao did in 12. He definitely didn't embarrass himself.

HOWEVER, I'm still not 100% convinced Mayweather wasn't simply giving the fans what they wanted for as long as possible before flipping the switch.

McGregor started to fade around the 6th, and IMO it probably could have ended around then if Mayweather wanted it to.

*It was probably the best possible outcome from a fan standpoint: there was an actual fight, where both guys were going for it at times, and a stoppage late enough to preserve the viewership.

I think the first three rounds were feeling out for Mayweather... he didn't really know what to expect, got caught with a couple good punches, got bullied a little bit by McGregor's size and energy. Thought McGregor won every single one of the first three rounds.

4th round to 8th round was typical Mayweather in control with McGregor getting a bit gassed... thought McGregor lost all of those rounds but maybe one. 9th & 10th was Mayweather realizing McGregor was spent and couldn't hurt him so then he went to end the fight.

I was hoping it'd be competitive with a stoppage some time after the 4th round so I was happy.

 

[connor_in]

I think the reason the fight went on for as long as it did is a combination of FM strategy to take a guy who hasn't fought long fights into the tiredness of upper rounds, not knowing for sure what he was going to get from a non-traditional "boxer", and FM's own penchant for running the first so many rounds.

As I said above, CM has a better chance right now against a fighter who tries to go toe to toe than a boxer who really strategize and follows it through. However, I think CM did a great job of trying to adapt to a different sport and could beat a number of good boxers if he wants to try. He just needs to learn the patience of a boxer versus the violent hurricane of MMA. However, he took his popular brand and has launched it into the stratosphere with this event.

EDIT: CM is apparently claiming the fight was stopped too soon that he got tagged but many after we're just glancing blows. Partly true, but he was done. He could not get his hands up and had barely attempted to throw a punch for most of the last minute while exclusively going backwards unsteadily.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

You're definitely right. CM knew he's hitting the canvas if it doesn't get stopped, but of course he is still gonna say that.

 

[arrowryan]

I think the "Mayweather wouldn't last a round against McGregor in the octagon" comments on the internet. Well, no shit. Why do you think it was a boxing match? At 40 years old, Mayweather would have nothing to gain and everything to lose by jumping to the UFC.

The only way McGregor was going to win this match is if he knocked Mayweather out in the first 3 rounds. If he didn't do that, he doesn't stand a chance (as we saw).

At the end of the day, McGregor got worked by a guy that he consistently made fun of for being "old". With all of his pre fight comments and the ref having to call the fight because that "old man" was about to put him on his ass, he looks like an even bigger jackass than he was before the fight.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

At the end of the day, McGregor got worked by a guy that he consistently made fun of for being "old". With all of his pre fight comments and the ref having to call the fight because that "old man" was about to put him on his ass, he looks like an even bigger jackass than he was before the fight.

I'm not trying to sound rude, but you do understand how combat sports work in regards to selling tickets right? The guys get on stage, insult each other, brag, act ridiculous, and generally re-enact WWF promos from the 80's to get seats filled and subscriptions purchased.

OF COURSE McGregor is going to mock Mayweather before the fight, and vice versa. There is a great chance both were backstage or in a club afterwards celebrating their payday together and toasting each other. Boxing is real, the hype isn't.

*Read some of Muhammad Ali's stories. He was the undisputed king of promoting a fight.

 

[connor_in]

I'm not trying to sound rude, but you do understand how combat sports work in regards to selling tickets right? The guys get on stage, insult each other, brag, act ridiculous, and generally re-enact WWF promos from the 80's to get seats filled and subscriptions purchased.

OF COURSE McGregor is going to mock Mayweather before the fight, and vice versa. There is a great chance both were backstage or in a club afterwards celebrating their payday together and toasting each other. Boxing is real, the hype isn't.

*Read some of Muhammad Ali's stories. He was the undisputed king of promoting a fight.

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[Free Manera]

Mayweather carried him to the 10th. He felt McGregor's best punch in the 1st with that counter uppercut and knew he couldn't hurt him. He let McGregor punch himself out for the first several rounds, then started throwing a bit. When Mayweather came out for the 9th you could see it in his face that he was about to start. And he did. I genuinely think this was far less competitive than Mayweather made it look.

 

[WaveDomer]

Mayweather carried him to the 10th. He felt McGregor's best punch in the 1st with that counter uppercut and knew he couldn't hurt him. He let McGregor punch himself out for the first several rounds, then started throwing a bit. When Mayweather came out for the 9th you could see it in his face that he was about to start. And he did. I genuinely think this was far less competitive than Mayweather made it look.

I agree with this. I don't think there was any point where Mayweather was in any real trouble. This is similar to a football team just wearing down and probing a weaker opponent, so the first half seems competitive until they blow it open in the second. This was pretty much to script though, because McGregor has limited boxing experience and skill while Mayweather is a master of the sport.