5 reasons why a rematch between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather is bad for MMA

The Floyd Mayweather Jr. (L) vs. Conor McGregor (R) weigh-in

MMA is a sport that is still fighting for legitimacy in the eyes of many. Not long ago, prominent figures in the world of boxing described mixed martial arts as an alternative for combat sports athletes who don't possess the necessary skills to succeed in boxing.

Others described mixed martial arts as too violent to be considered a sport. It was only legalized in France in 2020, for example. The sport was also famously late to be legalized in the state of New York. Unfortunately, mixed martial arts has often struggled to be recognized for what it is: an art form.

The first match between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather was a landmark point of intersection between the worlds of MMA and boxing. However, another crossover fight will accomplish nothing—in fact, Conor McGregor doing so to rematch Floyd Mayweather might negatively impact MMA as a whole. This list details five reasons why.

#5. The rematch would delegitimize MMA

As highlighted in the introduction, MMA struggled to gain legitimacy as a sport. Not long ago, most mixed martial artists plied their trade in underground bouts. While it has finally achieved mainstream recognition, it was only in 2020 that the sport was legalized on French soil.

Before that, the state of New York banned formal mixed martial arts until 2016. In Denmark, MMA remains one of the few sports that isn't legally regulated. Another Nordic country, Norway, took a harsher stance, as it remains illegal on Norwegian soil.

ONE Championship heavyweight Thomas Narmo discusses how MMA is still illegal in Norway despite having an @IMMAFed team since 2013.

Be sure to check out the full interview in the link below👇
🔗: youtu.be/-RtT-W1xsqA

#VMTV #ONEChampionship #MMA #MMATwitter https://t.co/cpHR2k6ZrN

Were a rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor to take place, it would once again see MMA's biggest star take on 'Money' in boxing. This precedent suggests that boxing is the more legitimate combat sport of the two, as a bout between the two athletes in the octagon has been repeatedly rebuked. Mayweather once famously swore that he'd never allow himself to be locked in a cage.

This could further deelevate MMA in comparison to boxing. Countries that have already delegitimized MMA could potentially use this as fuel to further denigrate the sport.