Numero Veinticinco

I love that Mayweather is saying he would beat McGregor in MMA. Hilarious. Tap out? He wouldn't have the chance. He'd be knocked out in seconds.

Neither fighter is doing it on merit. I think I've been pretty clear as to way I think he got the fight... he's a world star.

You're missing what I'm saying, Vlad. The guys you were talking about, and I know the sort, who were complaining about not getting the shot, it's their fault. They're not on the level of a Mayweather or a McGregor in their sports. These guys are not only multi-weight champions, but they're just massive stars. If you want that level of fight, you have to achieve that level of stardom. To be honest, they're jealous of the money.

No, but he did map it to be the biggest start in combat sports, which is the only reason Mayweather let him have a sniff. My point is, make yourself a big time star and the big time stars will acknowledge you. These lads can feel aggrieved but they didn't do enough.

It's almost as if we wanted to sell him, isn't it. It's almost as if clubs are more reluctant to sell the world's top players than ones that are on the brink. Almost.

Stupid to let Lucas go? He should have been shifted years ago. Great guy, but not a player we need.

All they had to do was become the biggest name in combat sports, winning multiple titles, including against much bigger men, while building a huge profile internationally. They could have spent their time doing that.

Yeah, it was a bit cringy. It's all a bit WWE for me.

But it doesn't matter, mate. Cackling and toy throwing on the internet isn't going to make Klopp say 'oh shit, I best switch targets'. We have been fairly calm and calculated under Klopp. He's happy, I'm happy. We had news yesterday of bids going in and negotiations being done for two players who'd cost well over £100m for the pair. Probably 130m. Why would we move on? People seem to be getting to invested in every line squirted out the asshole of the twitterati, or some unsound media source. It's all nonsense with people filling column inches. If we get our guys, like we did with Mane, Gini, Salah, et al, it's all hot air.

Well, that's the clear alternative to what he was saying. I was attempting to get him to think a little bit. I know it's frustrating, but it's not an easy deal. We either trust the judgement of the manager or we don't.

He certainly seems to want these players, yes. There's no plan b, he doesn't want to move on, and he doesn't think they're unobtainable. So why not just be patient?

But the manager seems to want these players. I mean, are you saying the owners should take control and override the manager?

I think 65m is beyond fair. But football has gone crazy.

Would you pay 80m for him?

In the cunt-stakes, Mayweather is in a different league

Well, Clarence. I can say no more than I heartily disagree. His engine had gone. No doubt about that - and as just about every analyst has said since, it was a combining factor of him being on antibiotics and going up so much weight against a man who categorically is NOT 155lbs (although you might get confused by wiki using his last fight weight as his weight rather than the official UFC which clearly puts him at 170 and previously fought at 180. Fuck it, read this link and you'll see the weight and size difference. https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bloodyelbow.com/platform/amp/2016/10/5/13172606/ufc-202-mma-news-interview-fight-dana-white-nate-diaz-conor-mcgregor-weight Nate had to cut weight to hit 170, and he was 190 according to Dana. The fact he beat the guy is a testament to the punishment he can take. And give.

The guy he went up to 170 to fight at the drop of a hat. Yes he did overpower him, and certainly use his size when in the ground - but even he didn't knock him out. But yes, if Floyd grows twice the dice, puts on 30 pounds, drops 10 years, and takes Connor to the ground. I'll concede that he might knock him out.

I couldn't disagree with this line of thinking more. 1) Anybody who thinks McGregor will be swinging like a loon at any point has no idea what type of fighter he is, or they are willingly feigning ignorance of it. 2) McGregor has never been knocked out. Not ever. Not by bigger men with elbows, shinbones, and hammer punches when his head is on the floor. What makes you think that a defensive boxer, well passed his best, with way less punching power than McGregor has faced before, who is smaller than McGregor, and has brittle, glass hands, is going to knock McGregor out? Mayweather might well win. He's a better boxer - he should win - but if he does it's likely to be on points, having defended his way through half the rounds, dodging punches, and hitting tactically. It's why he does, he's probably the best ever at it.

I've no idea. All I know is what some half-clued in media, and whipped up twitter bollocks tells me. I'm not one to go off the handle about this. As for lowballing, this seems to be a standard negating tactic. The same way that the other side would have asked for more than he's worth. Just because somebody says 'Henderson? 104m', it doesn't mean you say 'well, okay then, I guess fair's fair, here you go'. If a player isn't worth it, I absolutely think we should walk away. I mean, I don't get that criticism. As for walking away without putting in a bid, that's standard practice. For all clubs, businesses, home owners, car buyers, etc.

So just start throwing cash around, rather than trying to negotiate a deal - you know, like every other business deal involving tens of millions of pounds. Honestly, the way some people talk about it makes you think if people don't quite understand the magnitude and complexity of a deal like this. If negotiating on deals saves us 10 million, which it could on huge deals like this, to put towards another player, then jaw-jaw is better than fax-fax.

Meh, it's all about petty. They're a different category, have we got to mention the boys, girls, disabled, all for the sake of fairness. It's balls.

I like the player. He has the strength of Black Beauty, he's tall (about 12 hands high), and he's quick out the gate. Would love to sign him.

I didn't see it. What did he say?

A bit glum maybe but a dick? Nah.

Oh dear. It blinds me to read that. To be fair, he was far from the only one saying that at the time.