Dirt Thrown at Floyd Mayweather’s Controversial Fight with John Gotti III as UFC Legends Make Bold Claims
Floyd Mayweather, the former WBC champion and boxing legend, has once again ignited the fighting community’s attention with his recent exhibition bout against John Gotti III. Their previous encounter was shrouded in controversy, and it appears that this rematch was no different. Mayweather found himself in a dramatic situation when he demanded a referee change in the second round, adding fuel to the already blazing tension surrounding the fight.
As the debate over Mayweather’s decision to replace the referee raged on, former UFC fighters Daniel Cormier and Ben Askren entered the fray, throwing shade at the boxing icon. Their reactions reflected a mix of surprise and skepticism, further stirring the pot in a fight already mired in controversy.
UFC Veterans Question the Legitimacy of Mayweather vs. Gotti III
On August 31st, Ben Askren made an appearance on Daniel Cormier’s popular YouTube talk show, where the topic of Mayweather’s latest fight took center stage. Cormier, also known as DC, expressed disbelief at the fact that Mayweather, at his age, was still stepping into the ring. “I had absolutely no idea that Mayweather was still fighting,” DC admitted, revealing his surprise at seeing the 47-year-old boxing legend still active in the sport.
Askren chimed in, expressing his bewilderment over the bout’s nature. “It’s something weird about it. But he’s not, it was like an exhibition. It was like one—,” he started, before being interrupted by Cormier, who clarified that it was indeed a fight against John Gotti III. The exchange highlighted the confusion and skepticism that surrounded the match, with both UFC veterans questioning the motives and legitimacy behind Mayweather’s decision to fight Gotti again.
The discussion took a more critical turn as DC questioned, “What is going on with this guy?” His concern wasn’t just about Mayweather’s decision to fight but also about the potential risks involved at his age. Fighting at 47, a time when many athletes have long retired, raises serious questions about the dangers of such a choice. The shocker, however, came when Askren confessed that he wasn’t even aware of the fight until he saw it trending on Twitter the next day. “I have no idea. That’s one where, like, who paid for that? Because to your point, I had no idea. I saw it on Twitter the next day. Like I had no idea that it was going on,” he said, highlighting the lack of publicity and general awareness about the fight within the broader sports community.
Askren weighed in on that and said, “It’s something weird about it. But he’s not, it was like an exhibition. It was like one-”
DC exclaimed, “What is going on with this guy?”
He said, “I have no idea. That’s one where like, who paid for that? Because to your point, I had no idea. I saw it on Twitter the next day. Like I had no idea that it was going on.”
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Rogan Applauds Mayweather’s Financial Genius
While DC and Askren threw shade at Mayweather for his decision to fight Gotti III, Joe Rogan, another prominent figure in the UFC community, offered a different perspective. On episode #2195 of the Joe Rogan Experience, the veteran podcaster and UFC commentator sat down with neuroscientist Andrew Huberman for a deep discussion, during which Mayweather’s name came up.
Rogan was full of praise for Mayweather, not just for his fighting skills, but for his uncanny ability to monetize his career in unconventional ways. “He’s a genius in figuring out a way to keep making money. And one of the reasons why people watch him fight is… because they hate him because he talks so much sh– and he’s like ‘look at my million-dollar watch, look at my f—ing jet’… So that you hate him, people hate him. He creates envy… and you want him to lose, but he’s not gonna. He’s so good,” Rogan said, highlighting Mayweather’s mastery in turning negative emotions like envy and hate into a profitable enterprise.
Fighting at the age of 47 is not just a physical feat but a strategic one, according to Rogan. While many criticize Mayweather for continuing to fight, Rogan sees it as a brilliant move to keep the money flowing in, even if it means capitalizing on the public’s desire to see him lose. Gotti, a formidable fighter in his own right, might have stepped into the ring with Mayweather for the money, but it’s Mayweather who walks away with both the win and the spoils, lifting his status even higher in the eyes of those who understand the business behind the sport.
Rogan said, “He’s a genius in figuring out a way to keep making money. And one of the reasons why people watch him fight is… because they hate him because he talks so much sh– and he’s like ‘look at my million-dollar watch, look at my f—ing jet’… So that you hate him, people hate him. He creates envy… and you want him to lose, but he’s not gonna. He’s so good.”
Thombson’s Note:
The world of professional fighting is often as much about strategy outside the ring as it is about skill inside it. Floyd Mayweather continues to prove that he is a master of both. While critics may question his choices, it’s clear that Mayweather is playing a game that few understand but many are eager to watch.
