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marginally successful Conor’s attempt was, they nonetheless became aware that there was this opportunity that was available to them all along.

Since MMA fighters below the top-tier level earn notoriously low purses compared to their boxing counterparts, it’s practically a no-brainer for them to want to showcase their skills in a different arena for better pay. But I doubt it will become a trend. What we are seeing now is a natural ripple-effect of the richest fight in combat history.

There will be no mass exodus of MMA fighters, as in fact they can compete in both sports non-exclusively. But it does prop up the boxing game and reinforces its stature among combat sports.

Boxing’s staying power and stamina seems to be considerably better than Conor Mcgregor’s.

TRANSITION. From a technical standpoint, it should be remembered that it’s actually easier for MMA fighters to transition to boxing than vice-versa for the simple reason that boxing is one of the primary components of mixed martial arts.

While “pure” boxers have to learn several disciplines in order to be a complete MMA fighter, the opposite is true for MMA fighters as they just have to focus on their boxing skill set.

The late Kimbo Slice, who was a legendary street fighter before he embarked on an MMA career, was one of those fighters who thought his brawling skills were better suited in a boxing ring rather than a cage.

Before he died of heart failure last year, he was able to compile a boxing record of 7-0 with 6 stoppages.

But not all MMA fighters are created equal and those who can’t punch their way out of a paper bag better think twice about climbing the ring.

VERBATIM. “The only way it doesn’t happen [is] if this guy doesn’t have any balls. This fight will pay him more, this fight will get him more exposure – this fight is bigger than anything else he has. There’s no more Mayweather fight, this is the biggest fight there.”--Former boxing world champion Paulie Malignaggi on fighting Conor Mcgregor