Floyd Mayweather shuts down talk of potential 'billion dollar' UFC deal

Floyd Mayweather Jr has poured cold water on the UFC rumours. Photo / Getty

Floyd Mayweather has quickly denied that he is in talks over a potential deal to fight in the UFC.

UFC president Dana White claimed on Wednesday that the promotion had held discussions with Mayweather, telling ESPN that it was a 'realistic possibility' that the boxing icon could step inside the octagon.

The story began to gain traction a week ago when the Money Team leader posted a video to social media saying that the option was there for him to 'do a three or four fight deal in the Octagon and make a billion dollars'.

However, Mayweather has explained that whilst the opportunity is there, he has no intention of taking it.

"Exactly what I said is this: If I could make over a billion dollars before, I could do it again," the 40-year-old said, speaking to FightHype.

Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor face off. Photo / AP

"If I chose to get in the UFC and fight three fights or fight four fights and then fight Conor McGregor, I could make a billion dollars. Which I can. I could do it in three fights or even four fights — I could make a billion dollars. If I choose to get in the Octagon and fight.

"We just don't know what the future holds for Floyd Mayweather. And I don't look forward to getting back in a boxing ring, that's what I don't look forward to.

"I'm just saying I could — I'm not doing it — but I'm saying what I could do to make a billion dollars quick, if I wanted to do that. That's what I was saying. I never said I was gonna fight in the UFC. I didn't say that. I said if I wanted to and what I could. Could and would do is different things. I'm not gonna do it, though."

Naturally McGregor was quick to respond, posting a photo of himself with his two UFC belts with the caption 'p****'.

Mayweather finished the Irishman in the 10th round when the two faced off in their money-spinning boxing match back in August.

McGregor has since been making the most of his £100m payday but seems ready for a return to combat sports, with UFC bouts against Tony Ferguson or Nate Diaz as well boxing matches with Paulie Malignaggi and Manny Pacquiao all muted.