UFC president Dana White does not believe a fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and retired boxer Floyd Mayweather will happen, but says he has been in contact with Mayweather’s team this week.
White told ESPN’s Get Up! on Thursday that he met with Mayweather’s associates on Wednesday in Los Angeles to discuss the possibility of promoting Mayweather in the UFC. Last month, Mayweather publicly stated he would be willing to box Nurmagomedov.
“I actually had a meeting yesterday in Los Angeles about this,” White said. “I don’t want to say anything that makes it sound like, ‘Oh wow, this could happen.’ But we had talks yesterday.
“I don’t think it’s going to happen. I don’t think the fight would happen in the UFC, but they didn’t say no.”
The UFC and Mayweather Promotions worked together to produce one of the most lucrative events in combat sports history last year, when Conor McGregor boxed Mayweather in Las Vegas. That event produced 4.3 million pay-per-view buys in North America, according to Showtime.
If there is to be another crossover event, White said it would need to take place in the UFC this time.
“We went over there, we boxed him,” White said. “If he wants to do it again, he has to come to the UFC. I don’t think it’s realistic at all, but I didn’t think the [McGregor] boxing match was either. So, we’ll see.
“There’s a reason Floyd Mayweather wants to fight my guys: There’s big money there for him. Obviously, there’s big money there for us, but I’m not into making those kind of fights. If Floyd wants to come over here — he says he’s been wrestling and doing this or that — if he wants to come over and fight in the UFC, he’s more than welcome.”
Mayweather’s representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Nurmagomedov (27-0), of Dagestan, is coming off a 155-pound title defense against McGregor at UFC 229 on Oct. 6. He is facing potential fines and suspensions from the Nevada State Athletic Commission for his postfight actions at the event, for leaving the Octagon to confront McGregor’s corner.
Nurmagomedov is under exclusive contract with the UFC and would need its permission if he wished to pursue any boxing match. White said the two sides have not discussed that possibility.
“I haven’t talked to Khabib about it at all,” White said. “His interest needs to be in defending his title over here. That’s what he should be focused on.”