As he took home the ESPY for 2014's Best Fighter, Floyd Mayweather Jr. was finally introduced to a nemesis he didn't even realize he had. Mayweather was quoted earlier this week saying he didn't even know who UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey was, but that changed Wednesday night as MMA's queen scored her own ESPY for the year's Best Female Athlete.

"I wish her congratulations because I didn't know who she was the other day," Mayweather told Fighthub. "I apologize because I didn't know. I'm used to watching football and basketball. I'm not really into boxing like that. When they tell me, 'Floyd, you need to check out a fighter, you need to scout a fighter' I'll say, 'Well, let me see him. We need to sign him.'

Worry not. Mayweather added he and his promotion company are still interested in branching out into representing MMA fighters.

"Of course," said Mayweather. "Mayweather Promotions, we are the past, present and future of sports entertainment. And yes, we will get involved with other contact sports in the future."

Mayweather and Rousey have shared headlines ever since the latter was asked in a radio interview how she would approach a hypothetical fight with Mayweather. Conceding the boxing edge, Rousey was adamant she'd carry the day if the scrap ever happened on the street. UFC president Dana White has taken every opportunity to carry water for the narrative, adamantly professing Rousey wouldn't just beat Mayweather in a fight, 'she'd hurt him bad.'

5 MUST-READ STORIES

A Day in Dublin with Conor McGregor. Ariel Helwani tours the O2 Arena with Saturday's headliner.

Fortunes changed for five. Dave Meltzer explains how Donald Cerrone, Edson Barboza, Rick Story, John Lineker and Claudia Gadelha move forward following UFC Fight Night: Cerrone vs. Miller.

Giddy-up. Chuck Mindenhall tells you exactly why Donald Cerrone should be your favorite fighter.

Toquinho. World Series of Fighting welterweight champion Rousimar Palhares is back in the gym and he's training to beat Jon Fitch. 'I'm coming after him. I will train for him. I want him.'

Not impressed. Mark Bocek says training with a female Olympic medalist 'feels like wrestling with a 12 year old.'

MEDIA STEW

Dana White sits down with Kazushi Sakuraba DA GAWD.

UFC on the Fly: Gunnar Nelson.



Bobby Razak's SHIFT Episode 1 : Conor McGregor.

Cub Swanson says a fight with McGregor would be the easiest of his career and that half the Irish fans he's met in Dublin actually hate the Irishman.

A McGregor anthem. Ariel Helwani tells me he's hearing it everywhere in Dublin.

Forrest Griffin guesses Irish brews.

Long watches.

Joe Rogan Experience - Fight Companion - July 16, 2014

...

Barbaric Gentleman - an Irish filmmaker made a documentary about his journey to compete in MMA. It's like Super Size Me in reverse. Guest appearance from Conor McGregor, Cathal Pendred, Dana White and John Kavanagh. HT to r/MMA.

...

TWEETS

Congrats.

Thank you and I appreciate everything you and EZ-Go do for me! RT @badboybuggies: @Cowboycerrone Congrats on the win! — Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) July 17, 2014

Thank you everyone for all the #espy love and support. Couldn't be more appreciative for the fans... http://t.co/2yiCLIV1V7 — Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) July 17, 2014

Better luck next time.

Thanks everyone for all the continued support. Didn't go my way tonight. Wish I could of put on a better show but It wasn't in the cards. — Evan Dunham (@evandunham155) July 17, 2014

Hats off to @EdsonBarbozaJR he was the better fighter last night. #ufc — Evan Dunham (@evandunham155) July 18, 2014

I would like to take a moment to say... i truly appreciate the love and support youve given me .... http://t.co/mB8iBecunE — Alptekin Ozkilic (@alpozkilicmma) July 17, 2014

Please.

I want 5 rounds with @Cowboycerrone , I want to test myself, @ufc @danawhite — khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) July 17, 2014

Interested?

Get well soon.

Day 2 off my hematoma. Swelling went down a lot but face is still oddly shaped @JoeLauzon pic.twitter.com/Nzh3RutaWv — Joe Proctor (@JoeProctor) July 17, 2014

Burn that shirt.

Could a move be coming?

Exactly.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Jul. 17 2014)

NA

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via PhilipH.

UFC Dublin Preview

Finally after five long years, the UFC returns to Ireland this Saturday night. Dublin's 02 will host the much anticipated event which will showcase some of Ireland's top MMA talent, including break out star Conor McGregor and Ultimate Fighter 19 contestant Cathal Pendred. The card isn't laden with major star power but has managed to gain serious hype on the back of Conor's outspoken personality and supreme confidence. This event has sparked more interest in the U.S. than most international fight nights with perennial MMA journalist of the year Ariel Helwani dubbing it 'the people's card.' He will be in Dublin all week to cover the event for mmafighting.com. On the back of Conor's first UFC win and appearance on The Late Late Show with Pendred, interest in MMA in Ireland has exploded. It's safe to assume the card would have sold out anyway with Ireland being starved of a UFC event for so long, multiple UFC post fight press conferences over the years were hit with the question, 'When is the UFC coming back to Dublin?' With the added interest and media attention of a home grown star, the tickets sold out in minutes. There is a feeling in the air, an atmosphere building, the idea that everyone in attendance at the 02 on July 19th is going to be a part of something special. Below we take an in-depth look at some of the night's main bouts. ...

Check out the rest of the post here.

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