Mayweather Considering A Move To MMA

The man who has most publicly derided the sport of MMA is considering trying his hand at the popular sport, of course, only if the money was right.

Check out our past articles on the topic:

April 12: "Mayweather: UFC Ain't Shit"
April 19: "Why Would He Go Home And Watch Basketball?"
May 23: "This Is Getting Out Of Hand"

Sherdog offers the following report on the possibility: Floyd Mayweather Jr. is discussing a deal with billionaire Mark Cuban that could put the best boxer on the planet in a mixed martial arts bout.

If an agreement is reached, Mayweather would join HDNet Fights, Cuban's fledgling MMA promotional arm, ESPN reported Friday.

"Floyd is considering fighting with HDNet Fights," Cuban told ESPN.com. "We are going to let him visit some gyms to talk to some folks about what it would take to learn. He knows it won't be easy. But he is getting involved with MMA and HDNet Fights one way or another. He is pumped about it. He wants to go on to the next big thing. Floyd is a brilliant marketer. He follows the money."

The undefeated Mayweather, a five-division world champion regarded as one of the purest pugilists in boxing history, stopped English challenger Ricky Hatton on Dec. 8 to retain his welterweight title.

Cuban and Mayweather, who struck up a friendship during the taping of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," met Thursday in Las Vegas to discuss a possible role for the boxer with HDNet Fights.

According to ESPN.com, Leonard Ellerbe, a close Mayweather associate, said a move from the sweet science to MMA is something that seriously interests the boxer.

"When Floyd makes his move, obviously it's going to be a mega event," Ellerbe 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."

Mayweather, 30, was part of two events in 2007 that generated 3.25 million pay-per-view buys and $200 million in revenue. A defeat of Oscar de la Hoya in May broke PPV records with 2.4 million subscriptions. In all, Mayweather made $50 million for his bouts with de la Hoya and Hatton.

"If I said there's a guaranteed $30 million payday, Floyd would be lacing them up," Cuban told ESPN.com. "If not, I could see him working to train and develop and invest in MMA fighters, knowing the upside. He can teach them how to be a better boxer and add to their other skills."

Should he decide to compete in MMA, Mayweather would immediately become the best boxer to test himself in that arena. Others such as Francois Botha, Art Jimmerson, Melton Bowen and James Warring fared poorly in their respective MMA efforts.

Mayweather would likely compete in MMA's 145-pound featherweight division, which is currently dominated by WEC champion Urijah Faber.