STWF Sports | Dec. 5, 2025  – Conor McGregor has never been shy when it comes to bold opinions, but his latest proclamation might be one of his most surprising yet. The former two-division UFC champion believes Mike Tyson — who turns 60 in less than half a year — would beat Floyd Mayweather if the two boxing icons share the ring in 2026.

Earlier this year, Tyson and Mayweather agreed in principle to an exhibition showdown for Spring 2026, instantly igniting debate across the combat sports world. No official date or venue has been announced, and numerous logistical hurdles remain — none bigger than a 60-pound weight gap between the former heavyweight wrecking ball and the undefeated defensive genius.

Still, McGregor has no doubts about who’d come out on top.

McGregor: Tyson Looks “Seven Years Younger”

McGregor spent an evening this week with Tyson at The Black Forge Inn in Dublin, his signature establishment. The encounter only strengthened his confidence in the former heavyweight champion.

“Mike looks amazing,” McGregor told Bloody Elbow. “He was here in 2018, and I met him back then. That was seven years ago, and he looks even seven years younger than then. It’s Mike Tyson, man. I’ll tell you what, he won’t lose.”

McGregor added that Tyson is eager for the matchup and remains convinced it will happen.

Two Legends in Uncharted Territory

If the bout does materialize, it will pit two fighters approaching 60 and 50 respectively in a spectacle unlike anything the sport has seen.

• Tyson last fought in November 2024, where he was stopped by Jake Paul in an exhibition.

• Mayweather’s most recent outing came in August 2024 against John Gotti III in a non-scored bout.

Both have dabbled in exhibitions since retiring professionally, but a meeting between them is something entirely different: The biggest show possible without championship stakes.

No one can ignore their disparity:

• Tyson’s heavyweight frame: rough weight near 220 lbs.

• Mayweather’s frame: historically around 160 lbs at exhibition size.

Whether they install modified rules, special gloves, a catchweight, or some unconventional setup, all remains unclear.

McGregor Knows Both Sides of the Tyson–Mayweather Equation

Few are in a better position to compare Tyson and Mayweather than McGregor himself.

He fought Mayweather in the second-biggest financial fight in boxing history in 2017:

• The matchup generated $55.4 million at the live gate

• Sold 4.4 million pay-per-views, trailing only Mayweather–Pacquiao

• McGregor and Mayweather both earned well over $100 million

Yet despite that history — and despite Mayweather stopping him in the 10th round — McGregor now firmly favors Tyson.

He didn’t hedge his stance either; the Irish superstar believes strongly:

“I hope it goes ahead. He seems confident it’s going ahead. He’s well up for it.”

Can It Really Happen?

There are still questions:

• How will medical clearance work for a 60-year-old Tyson?

• Which weight category or ruleset will they adopt?

• Can Mayweather avoid being physically overwhelmed?

But one thing is certain: If Tyson vs. Mayweather actually receives a green light, it will become one of the most anticipated and highest-grossing combat events of the decade.

And if Conor McGregor is to be believed, even after all these years, “Iron Mike” still has one more knockout moment left in him.