August 2017 was weird, right? We had a guy who’d never boxed professionally, Conor McGregor, stepping into a ring with literally the greatest defensive boxer to ever live. People were losing their minds. Some thought the "Irish Mystic" would land one left hand and change the world. Others thought it was a total circus. But when the dust settled at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the answer to conor mcgregor vs floyd mayweather who won was clear, even if the journey there was a bit of a ride.
Floyd "Money" Mayweather won.
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He didn't just win; he stopped McGregor in the 10th round. It wasn't a "lucky" punch or a flash knockout. It was a slow, methodical dismantling. If you watch it back, you can see the exact moment Conor’s gas tank hit empty. Floyd, being the genius he is, just waited for that moment.
The Breakdown: How Floyd Found the Finish
Honestly, the first three rounds were kind of shocking. Conor came out looking huge. He was switching stances, using a hammer-fist (which is illegal in boxing, but hey, he’s an MMA guy), and actually landing his jab. On one judge’s scorecard—Dave Moretti—McGregor actually won the first three rounds.
Floyd didn't care.
Mayweather did this thing called "rope-a-dope," but a modern version of it. He just walked forward with a high guard, letting Conor throw everything but the kitchen sink. He knew McGregor wasn't used to the 12-round cardio of boxing. MMA fights are three or five rounds. Boxing is a different kind of burn.
By the middle rounds, the tide shifted. Hard.
The Turning Point
Round 4 is where the "Money" show really started. Floyd stopped backpedaling. He started walking Conor down, which is rare for Floyd. Usually, he’s a "hit and don't get hit" guy, but he realized Conor had no power left to keep him honest.
- Round 6: Floyd started landing lead rights.
- Round 9: Conor was literally wobbling. He looked like he was underwater.
- Round 10: The end. Floyd landed a series of clean shots, and referee Robert Byrd stepped in at 1:05.
Conor wasn't "knocked out" cold, but he was out on his feet. He actually complained afterward that the ref should’ve let him go down, saying it was just fatigue, not damage. But looking at the replay? Yeah, the ref saved him from some serious long-term trouble.
The Scorecards and the Stats
When people ask about conor mcgregor vs floyd mayweather who won, they often wonder if it was close. Technically, no.
At the time of the stoppage, the judges had it:
- 89–81 (Floyd)
- 89–82 (Floyd)
- 87–83 (Floyd)
Compubox stats told an even clearer story. Floyd landed 170 of his 320 punches. That’s a 53% connect rate. For a guy who's 40 years old and had been retired for two years, that's insane. McGregor landed 111 punches out of 430. To be fair to Conor, he actually landed more punches on Floyd than Manny Pacquiao did. That's a fun fact you can use to win an argument at a bar.
Why This Fight Still Matters in 2026
We’re years removed from this now, and the "Money Fight" basically changed how we look at combat sports. It birthed the era of the "crossover" fight. Without this, you don't get Francis Ngannou fighting Tyson Fury. You don't get the Paul brothers doing... whatever it is they do.
It was a business masterclass. Floyd walked away with roughly $280 million. Conor banked about $130 million. It’s hard to call anyone a "loser" when they're making that much money in 36 minutes.
Floyd retired for good after this (well, from professional fights, he still does those weird exhibitions). He ended his career at 50-0, officially passing Rocky Marciano’s legendary record.
What You Should Take Away
If you're looking back at this and trying to settle a debate, remember three things:
- Experience beats hype: Floyd’s 20+ years in the ring meant he knew exactly when Conor would tire.
- Cardio is king: In a boxing ring, 12 rounds is a lifetime. Conor’s explosive power was gone by round 6.
- The "Money" moniker is real: This fight remains the second-highest-selling PPV of all time, just behind Mayweather vs. Pacquiao.
Basically, the fight went exactly how the experts said it would, but Conor lasted longer than people gave him credit for. He wasn't a boxer, but for 30 minutes, he made the best boxer in the world actually work for his paycheck.
If you want to understand the technical side of why Conor gassed out, look into "fast-twitch vs. slow-twitch" muscle fibers. MMA fighters train for explosive bursts; boxers train for a marathon of attrition. You can actually see Conor’s shoulders start to drop around the 15-minute mark, which is the exact length of a standard 3-round UFC fight. Once he hit that "limit," his punches lost their "snap," and Floyd knew it was time to close the show.
Check out the official highlights if you haven't seen them in a while—the contrast in their footwork by round 8 is a masterclass in the difference between the two sports.
Next Steps for Fight Fans:
If you're still curious about the technical gap between MMA and Boxing, I'd recommend looking at the punch-accuracy maps from the fight. They show exactly how Floyd exploited Conor's tendency to lead with his head. Also, keep an eye on the 2026 schedule for any new "crossover" announcements, as the "Mayweather-McGregor" blueprint is still the gold standard for these events.