CONOR BRAIN SNAP MAY COST MORE THAN BOUT
IN the heat of battle under extreme fatigue, even the greatest athletes can make costly mistakes.
But nothing more costly than if UFC champ Conor McGregor has a brain snap in Sunday’s super fight in Las Vegas. If he does accidentally revert to any of his MMA manoeuvres, it will cost him $100 million.
It is in the fight contract that McGregor can forfeit 90 per cent of his $100 million purse if he kicks, elbows, knees or uses any of his UFC weapons. And to make it worse, the Nevada State athletic commission can fine him or withhold 100 per cent of his prizemoney.
It used to be only 10 per cent but rules changed and fines rose when Mike Tyson bit Evander Holyfield’s ear in 1997.
Bookmakers have slashed the odds of a disqualification from $20 to $8 for this event, which they are calling the Super Bowl of boxing.
Steve Farhood, the senior Showtime boxing analyst, says anything can happen if McGregor finds himself under duress from a couple of heavy knocks and instinct takes over.
“In a weird way that’s part of the appeal of this fight,” Farhood said. “No one knows what he’s going to do.
“Is two months of boxing in a gym going to wash away everything he’s learned over a long period of time in mixed martial arts? No, it’s not.
“There’s wording in the contract to prevent him from doing anything outlandish.
“Let’s say they get in tight. Floyd knows how to fight in tight. You don’t get that in MMA. You try to grab your opponent and get them on the floor or use your knee or elbow.
“If the fight goes longer, then Floyd will want to fight in close because Conor doesn’t have that same skill set.”
Not that McGregor’s camp is concerned.
“It won’t be a problem,” McGregor said at his final press conference.
“I’m taking the Marquess of Queensbury rules very seriously. I’m going to beat him at his own game on boxing skill.”