[EmpireWF]

A report on ESPN.com says Floyd Mayweather has been speaking with Mark Cuban about the possibility of fighting for his HD-Net Fights organization in the future.

Mayweather's adviser/best friend told ESPN, "We don't have a timetable. Floyd is taking some time off, but Floyd understands what is involved. You have to take time to go out and understand what you're getting involved in, and he's ready to do that. But it's something he's definitely interested in doing."

Mayweather and Cuban became friends while doing the Dancing With the Stars ABC show earlier this year.

ESPN - Mayweather mulling move to MMA in deal with Cuban - Boxing


I doubt this has any validity besides Mayweather floating stories out there. He's a spotlight hog, point blank. I don't believe he's seriously considering jumping to MMA for one bit.

[azrael492]

I would hope not. I get the feeling that a boxer would get his backside handed to him. They would be looking to block a punch and have their knee kicked out from under him.

[bears9]

Mayweather wouldn't do well in MMA, once some knocked him down he would be in trouble.

[EmpireWF]

The thing is, Mayweather would have MUCH better stand-up against any opponent they could put in with him. However, he would have to learn some takedown defenses and STAY OFF THE GROUND as you guys mentioned.

There's no doubt any MMA fighter worth their salt would be shooting for a takedown and submission tap-out.

[vincesanity82]

The news that Mark Cuban is in talks with Floyd Mayweather about joining up with Cuban's mixed martial arts organization isn't particularly surprising: Cuban seems serious about making a splash in MMA, he and Mayweather are friends, and Mayweather has made noises before about wanting to give the sport a try.

But the question is this: Could Mayweather actually compete in MMA?

I think he could not just compete but thrive. As a fan of both sports, I have to say that I think Mayweather is a better all-around athlete -- in terms of his endurance, his agility, his quickness of hands and feet -- than anyone in mixed martial arts. Obviously, once an experienced fighter gets him on the ground he's in serious trouble, but getting a guy with Mayweather's athletic abilities on the ground is easier said than done.

Mayweather would probably take a year or more to train, and maybe fight a few stiffs, before he would step into the cage with

Floyd Mayweather Could Be an MMA Champ - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

[Lefty Noob]

Whether he can compete or not, he's a big name, and Cuban could use a big name to help market his league.

[azrael492]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Whether he can compete or not, he's a big name, and Cuban could use a big name to help market his league.

If he wants a big name, get in the ring himself and fight David Stern. I would pay to see that.

[bears9]

Originally Posted by azrael492

If he wants a big name, get in the ring himself and fight David Stern. I would pay to see that.

That would be hilarious, I will take Cuban via TKO in round 1..

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Whether he can compete or not, he's a big name, and Cuban could use a big name to help market his league.

Whether Mayweather is truly considering this or not, I'm sure Cuban couldn't be happier that his HDNet and HDNet Fights products are getting some free publicity.

[EmpireWF]

UFC lightweight (he will battle B.J. Penn at UFC 81 for the title) Joe Stevenson spoke out on the Mayweather topic.

All quotes from a Yahoo! article, Stevenson talking about Mayweather:

"He represents himself in a different manner and it's not the way I think is correct for our athletes. You don't brag about how much money you make. That's totally disrespectful. I've seen him in clubs and I've seen the way he treats people and I can tell you, that's not the kind of a guy we want representing this sport."

"It's moronic for him to think he can cross over and do this at 31," Stevenson said. "It's like me saying I could be the best in golf. It looks easy, but I'd sound retarded to say I could go out there after a couple of months and win. The pressure, the coordination, the ability to play the greens, there are so many things involved. Boxing and MMA are different sports. He's a great boxer. He's the best. I was rooting for Ricky Hatton and I have to give Floyd credit for doing what he did. But he'd be in an entirely different sport. And yeah, his strikes would be intimidating, but I'd take him down. He'd have to be able to defend a takedown and that sounds a lot easier than it is."

"I don't think we need that kind of attention. We have a great sport and a lot of people are beginning to realize that, more every day. We don't have to bring in the best boxers just to get people to pay attention to us, because they're realizing what a great sport we have already."


MMA Mailbag: "Daddy" doesn't like Floyd in MMA - MMA - Yahoo! Sports