Mayweather-McGregor bout could lead to increase in crossover events

By Joseph Hammond

This past weekend saw a crossover episode of the biggest possible scale in combat sport.  A UFC athlete versus a boxer.  The two top-drawing athletes in each sport.  It was supposed to be the combat sports version of King Kong versus Godzilla.

Conor McGregor, the only UFC competitor two win titles in two different weight divisions, took on Floyd Mayweather, not in the MMA’s Octagon as he might have preferred, but in a squared boxing ring. McGregor was also denied the four ounce gloves he requested, and had to make do with a heavier eight ounces in the 154-pound contest.

In truth, McGregor probably weighed closer to 170 pounds on fight night. In doing so, McGregor followed in a long line of Mayweather opponents who thought their athleticism or size would be enough to beat Mayweather, one of the greatest boxers of his era.

There was no title on the line, and like the Jetson’s, the show had some moments which were novel. Floyd Mayweather, as is his style, let Connor Mcgregor take the early rounds.  It wasn’t Mayweather getting outboxed by the UFC champion, but rather was a deliberate tactic to take rounds off and let Mcgregor waste energy.  In particular, Mcgregor kept switching his stance from southpaw to orthodox.  This allowed the Irishman to land some clean shots – though it was an exhausting strategy.

Before the fight, much attention was centered on whether Mcgregor would become frustrated and switch to MMA moves with his forearms and elbows.  In fact, it was Mayweather who used roughhouse tactics during the fight.  He even attempted once or twice to ambush McGregor on the break like he did in his knockout victory over Victor Ortiz.

The end came in the tenth with a flurry of unanswered punches from Mayweather.

This crossover event hints of more to come in the future.  Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man, is playing soccer now.  A Rugby League team, The Toronto Wolfpack, has begun play as the first transatlantic sports franchise in history.

As fans become less and less interested in traditional sports, crossover events -- and athletes -- offer fans novelty.  Even if sometimes the outcome is more The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones than Godzilla versus King Kong.