UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has pleaded with Floyd Mayweather to stay well clear of making the move into the octagon.
Mayweather’s last professional fight came seven years ago in a blockbuster crossover fight with Conor McGregor.
The bout broke pay-per-view records with both fighters earning millions with Mayweather announcing his official retirement.
But the 47-year-old was back in the ring a year later to start his exhibition career, which has included bouts against Logan Paul, Aaron Chalmers and John Gotti III.
Floyd Mayweather has teased a crossover fight into MMAPA
It’s currently unclear what Mayweather’s next fight will be, but there have suggestions that he could step into the octagon.
McGregor has previously taunted Mayweather for not making the switch over to mixed martial arts for a rematch from their 2017 bout.
But while Jones is happy to see some of his UFC colleagues make the move into boxing, he feels boxers like Mayweather could be badly ‘hurt’ if they try a real MMA fight.
“I would like it if we kept it to MMA fighters trying out boxing,” he told SNY.
“I think it’s a lot safer for an MMA fighter to try out boxing.
“If you get a boxer inside the octagon, there’s so many elements that they’re unfamiliar: the head kicking, the body kicking and the choking and the arm-bending, ankle-twisting, and all that.
“It’s a lot, and it can be really dangerous for Floyd [Mayweather] to join an MMA match. So, I would strongly suggest he reconsider.”
Jones was also asked what he thought about the potential of fighting the four-weight world champion in the cage.
Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather boxed seven years ago
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He replied: “Floyd Mayweather weighs like 150lbs, I’m like 220lbs.
“I’d hurt Floyd Mayweather. But I’m a huge fan of Floyd, let me say that.”
McGregor is also waiting to find out who he will face on his long-awaited return to the UFC.
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Floyd Mayweather has fought a number of exhibition bouts in recent years
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The Irishman hasn’t fought in three years and has called out welterweight champion Belal Muhammad for a bout.“He’s woeful,” McGregor said.
“I want to fight him. Okay, Chandler’s matched, let’s schedule Belal-McGregor UFC welterweight world title on the line. I’ve multiple knockouts at 170lb, I’m a force to be reckoned with at 170lb.
“I do damage at welterweight, check the stats. I’ve done them at 100 per cent accuracy, this man doesn’t even have a knockdown in UFC history. Not one knockdown, it’s embarrassing, to be honest. I was kind of slow rolling the person because I just don’t a b*****s.
“They’re all bums in the thing. You don’t be interested, come to me, but for the strap? Yes, next, yes please. Stall it Dana and the lads.”