Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather have once again revived talk of a boxing rematch, with McGregor stating he remains open to facing the undefeated legend in 2027 under the Zuffa Boxing promotion. However, no signed contract, event date, venue, weight class, broadcast plan, or formal announcement has been made, leaving the matchup firmly in the realm of speculation.
McGregor's recent UFC setback
The speculation comes just weeks after McGregor's long-awaited return to the UFC ended disastrously. At UFC 329 on July 11, 2026, in Las Vegas, McGregor faced Max Holloway in a welterweight bout. The fight lasted just 69 seconds. McGregor opened with a jumping side kick, landed awkwardly on his right leg, and appeared to injure his knee. Referee Mike Beltran stopped the contest at 1:09 of the first round, awarding Holloway a TKO victory due to injury. It was McGregor's first fight in over five years, following a string of legal issues, a broken leg in 2021, and a lengthy layoff.
Immediately after the fight, UFC president Dana White told reporters that doctors suspected McGregor might have suffered an ACL tear. McGregor later confirmed he would undergo surgery, complete rehabilitation, and then return for the final bout on his current UFC contract. His coach John Kavanagh insisted the knee had not been a problem during training, and McGregor said the injury came without warning.
The rematch discussions
Before UFC 329, McGregor spoke to TMZ Sports and revealed that conversations with Mayweather's camp had continued over the years. He expressed readiness to fight Mayweather again, saying the business side could be worked out. The rematch would likely take place under Zuffa Boxing, Dana White's boxing promotion launched in January 2026. Zuffa Boxing operates with a UFC-style promotion structure, including regular events and internal rankings, and has already worked with notable names. However, neither Mayweather nor McGregor has been announced as a Zuffa Boxing signee or headliner.
The original Mayweather-McGregor fight on August 26, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas remains one of the biggest combat sports events in history. Mayweather stopped McGregor in the 10th round, handing the Irishman his first professional boxing loss. The event generated an official live gate of $55.4 million from 13,094 paid tickets, placing it among the largest gates in Las Vegas boxing history. The pay-per-view also shattered records, drawing an estimated 4.3 million buys in North America alone.
Age and injury obstacles
If a rematch were to happen in 2027, Mayweather would be 50 years old, while McGregor would be 38. Mayweather was 40 during the first fight and has not competed professionally since his 2017 victory over McGregor, though he has participated in exhibition bouts against Logan Paul (2021) and others. McGregor's recent knee injury, combined with the need for surgery and rehabilitation, adds another layer of uncertainty. Any plan for a Mayweather fight would depend on McGregor's recovery and his ability to fulfill his final UFC obligation first.
Historical context and analysis
McGregor's boxing debut in 2017 was a crossover event that captured global attention. He had become the first simultaneous two-division champion in UFC history, holding both the featherweight and lightweight titles. His brash personality, knockout power, and unprecedented success in MMA made him a mainstream star. Mayweather, meanwhile, retired with a perfect 50-0 record, having defeated the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez, and Oscar De La Hoya. The 2017 fight, though competitive in the early rounds, ultimately showcased Mayweather's superior boxing IQ and conditioning.
A second fight in 2027 would be markedly different. Both fighters are older, and McGregor's recent injury history raises questions about his durability. His leg break against Dustin Poirier in 2021 and the knee issue against Holloway are major concerns. Furthermore, McGregor has not won a fight in any sport since 2020, when he knocked out Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds. His record since then includes losses to Poirier (twice), a loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov, and the Holloway TKO.
Mayweather's exhibition bouts have not tested him seriously, but he remains an elite defensive boxer. The age gap—12 years—could be a factor, with Mayweather relying on his ring intelligence and McGregor on his power and athleticism. However, without a signed deal, the rematch remains a rumor, kept alive by the enormous financial success of their first encounter and the persistent interest from both camps.
Zuffa Boxing's involvement would provide a natural promotional home. Dana White has long expressed interest in boxing and now has the infrastructure to host high-profile events. Whether he can secure both fighters remains to be seen. For now, McGregor's focus is on surgery and his UFC future, while Mayweather enjoys his retirement. The combat sports world will watch closely, but the McGregor-Mayweather rematch is far from a done deal.
Source:mmanytt.be News