Round table: Mayweather v McGregor - Combat sports athletes predict the fight outcome

Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor square off during the recent world press tour
Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor square off during the recent world press tour Photo credit: Getty Images

The McGregor v Mayweather promotional tour was more entertaining than a Hollywood blockbuster, and quickly became a worldwide spectacle bigger than anything we've ever seen in combat sport history.

But on August 26 the pair will need to back up those verbal jabs with traditional boxing style punches for 12 rounds in Las Vegas - if the fight goes the distance.

As it stands Conor McGregor has an MMA record of 21 wins and three losses, held titles in two weight divisions and is the current UFC Lightweight champion, but does that even matter against Floyd Mayweather?

'Money' has fought 49 times with a one hundred percent success rate and has held 11 world titles in five different weight divisions.

It's a debate the Newshub Sport's team just couldn't do justice so we asked both MMA and boxing professionals for their take and got an overwhelming result.

First up our boxing contingent:

Joseph Parker, WBO Heavyweight Champion

WBO heavyweight champion, Joseph Parker
WBO heavyweight champion, Joseph Parker Photo credit: Photosport

I think it is going to be a big event but I don't think it's the best matchup. McGregor has a puncher's chance and hopefully he performs on the day but I don't see him landing his shots on Mayweather.

I live in Vegas and the atmosphere is going to be crazy. The whole of Vegas is going to be amped and pumped for the event. 

Hopefully, there will be an opportunity for me to score some tickets.

Jeff Horn, WBO Welterweight Champion

WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn celebrates his recent title victory
WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn celebrates his recent title victory Photo credit: Getty Images

It's a circus fight, it's the same if we saw Mayweather go on to a UFC fight, he would lose against McGregor if it was a UFC fight.

But it's a boxing fight it's going to be the other way around and it will be a dominant performance by Mayweather, or it should be.

Shane Cameron, former professional boxer

Fight sport is entertainment, and it's nothing new when you look back at Mohammed Ali and how he conducted himself, teasing his opponents you have to have character.

This fight is more of a fight of words, except both these fighters can back it up but unfortunately; McGregor is nowhere near a boxing fighter.

If this was an MMA fight Mayweather would lose  but in this case, Mayweather will win.

He has fought the best boxers in the world, this is a boxing mismatch. I see this fight going the distance and Mayweather getting the decision.

Do our MMA professionals agree?

Mark Hunt,  UFC Heavyweight

Kiwi UFC superstar Mark Hunt
Kiwi UFC superstar Mark Hunt Photo credit: Getty Images

Mayweather will win because he has far more experience. It's great how far MMA has come and boxing is on the decline. None the less, MMA is the ultimate in combat sports is all I'm saying.

Dan Hooker, UFC Lightweight

New Zealand's UFC lightweight Dan Hooker
New Zealand's UFC lightweight Dan Hooker Photo credit: Getty Images

I don't give Conor much chance.

Canelo Alvarez is one of the biggest power punchers in boxing history for those lighter weight divisions and he couldn't touch Floyd.

I don't see Conor having the ability to touch the best defensive boxer of all time in my opinion.

Israel Adesanya, GLORY Middleweight Kickboxer

After the four city press tour, seeing both men when they first met face to face till the last time in London all that did was get me super-hyped up and excited for this fight.

I don't often get to be part of big sporting moments as I don't partake in banter with other sports. But this I enjoy and run with.

If I'm betting my life, gun to my head, I would bet 'Money' due to his body of work.

But McGregor, he believes in himself so much you can't help but believe in him too.

Four years ago on the dole to fighting the highest grossing fight ever. If he does it as he predicts, he will be bigger than Ali and Tyson in their prime!!

Ev Ting, One Championship Lightweight

With respect of Mayweather's experience I will have to support the living legend in his 50th win.

If you notice all of his knockout wins in history, the victim, the majority of the time is off balance due to poor footwork and being over aggressive, and this is who McGregor will fight. The odds are Mayweather as the favourite.

And what about current a WWE superstar who recently stopped by the Newshub offices?

Sasha Banks, WWE RAW entertainer

WWE superstar, Sasha Banks
WWE superstar, Sasha Banks Photo credit: Getty Images

"Uh hello?! Mayweather is one of the best boxers in the world so my money is on Floyd!"

Newshub.