The anticipated super fight between Conor McGregor and Terence Crawford, boasting a staggering $200 million prize, has become a hot topic of discussion in the combat sports world. However, Crawford, the world-renowned boxing star, surprised many by rejecting McGregor’s invitation. For Crawford, factors like fairness and the significant differences between MMA and boxing rules are paramount.
McGregor initiates a special fight with a $200 million prize
Conor McGregor, one of the most famous MMA fighters, shocked fans by proposing a match with Crawford under two sets of rules: one MMA fight and one boxing match. McGregor extended the invitation with an enticing reward of $100 million for each bout, totaling $200 million. However, despite this generous offer, Crawford expressed little enthusiasm for stepping into an MMA cage – setting he believes would place him at a clear disadvantage.
Crawford’s concerns
Despite the substantial financial opportunity, Crawford publicly declined to participate in an MMA fight with McGregor. He stated, “I told Conor that I’m not stepping into the octagon to be kicked and elbowed.” Crawford emphasized that he understands the unique skill set required for MMA, which would put him at a disadvantage. While he respects the sport, he does not believe that the vast difference in rules between the two sports would allow for a fair match.
For Crawford, money is not the primary motivator. He candidly remarked, “Sometimes, money isn’t everything. Conor won’t be allowed to kick or elbow me; those techniques aren’t a joke”. Instead, Crawford wants to ensure that the conditions of the fight won’t diminish his advantage in his specialty – boxing.
The disparity between two combat sports
Although McGregor and Crawford are both top-tier stars, the significant differences in the rules and styles of MMA and boxing make organizing a fair fight challenging. McGregor famously fought Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match in 2017, but this time, Crawford sees stepping into an MMA cage as not just a technical challenge but also a risk to his reputation and performance.
Crawford’s hesitation stems not only from a fear of losing his advantage but also from his perspective on fairness in competition. He believes that if McGregor truly respects his talent, the fight should take place in a boxing ring – where both fighters can compete on equal footing, rather than forcing him into a fighting environment that gives McGregor a distinct edge.
Future of this fight: Unlikely to happen?
While fans are eager for a showdown between McGregor and Crawford, the differing approaches of the two fighters suggest that this match is unlikely to materialize. McGregor, who has previously found success in boxing, seems to want to rekindle his career through “super fights.” However, for Crawford, his boxing career remains the top priority, and he is unwilling to take risks in a sport where he is not as proficient.
In the end, while the $200 million prize is incredibly tempting, Terence Crawford has shown respect for his sport and decided against chasing money at the expense of fairness in competition. If McGregor truly wants to face Crawford, perhaps a pure boxing match would be a more viable option.
