Mayweather and McGregor Get Approval for Rule Change in Megafight

LAS VEGAS, NV-- On August 26, Floyd Mayweather (49-0 boxing) and Conor McGregor (21-3 MMA) will fight in arguably one of the biggest bouts in combat sports history--with eight ounce gloves.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission approved a rule change on August 16 that will allow the fighters to use eight ounce gloves rather than the agreed 10 ounce gloves in the fight contract. The NSAC unanimously voted for the one time exception in the 154 pound bout. According to the NSAC, fights above 147 pounds require 10 ounce gloves.

Both the Mayweather and McGregor camps have antagonized the NSAC on social media in an effort to sell tickets. Despite the patronization of the commission, Chairman Anthony Marnell says the Commission "must adopt [the rules] to the current times." 

On August 1, Mayweather took to Facebook, challenging McGregor to fight in eight ounce gloves. Both fighters have little experience fighting with 10 ounce gloves as Mayweather fought most of his bouts under the 147 pound classification and McGregor using four ounce gloves in the octagon in his MMA career.

Skip Avansino, a member of the commission, said the rule for 10 ounce gloves went into effect in 2006 on a recommendation by an independent advisory committee not based on scientific evidence. The committee also advised the commission to conduct a study of their own to determine whether or not 10 ounce gloves were safer for the higher weight classes or not.

Avansino said the rule will remain in place, despite the one-time exception for the August 26 bout.

Some local bars and restaurants in San Angelo will undoubtedly show the fight and there's a question as to whether the move to eight ounce gloves will draw a bigger crowd or not.

The Tilted Mug is on the fence whether or not to show the fight. Longtime employee Tom Miller thinks the rule change will help draw more of a crowd for local businesses. "It's going to help McGregor because he's not a boxer," Miller added when asked about who the beneficiary is of the rule change.

The megafight will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on August 26, with the undercard starting at 6:00 p.m.