Earlier this week, the MMA world was set ablaze with the possibility of Floyd Mayweather Jr. crossing over into the UFC when Dana White mentioned that they had been in “real” talks with the boxing great. Mayweather responded to the statement, denying that he had any intention of making the jump over but that hasn’t stopped a cavalcade of big-name UFC fighters from throwing their name in the hat for getting a crack at “Money” Mayweather.

Chief among the Mayweather hopefuls is UFC flyweight champion and the number one pound-for-pound fighter in MMA, Demetrious Johnson. When the news broke that Mayweather was in talks with the UFC, “Mighty Mouse” quickly threw a challenge out to Mayweather via Twitter, saying he would be happy to move up 20 pounds to welcome Mayweather to the UFC. Then, on Thursday, Johnson sweetened the deal, offering to fight Mayweather in a handicap match where he wouldn’t use his grappling at all on the boxing great.

“I think it would go very well for me, obviously,” Johnson told TMZ Sports. “I’m very well-rounded. It’s mixed martial arts. I would even do a handicap. I won’t even grapple with him. I won’t even go to the ground at all. I’ll get him in the clinch, bang up, hit him in the liver, kick him in the liver, take out his legs and work him.”

Though Johnson is considered the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world in part because of his well-rounded skill set, a majority of his wins during his record setting title reign have come as a result of his grappling game. Mayweather, by contrast, has 50 professional boxing bouts and nary a day of BJJ training to his name. The general consensus among the MMA community that Mayweather wouldn’t last long inside the cage stems primarily from his complete lack of a ground game. Taking away the threat of a submission would significantly raise Mayweather’s chances of winning an MMA fight, but Johnson is confident that his striking game, particularly his clinch, would be more than enough to overwhelm Mayweather.

“100 percent [I would win],” said Johnson. “Yeah, of course. You have the clinch, there’s kicks, there’s elbows, it’s mixed martial arts. I come from one of the great coaches - Matt Hume, Brad Kertson - and my skill set is well-rounded.

“I’d probably get after that liver. Have to get after that liver. Beat him up in the Muay Thai clinch because he likes to clinch a lot. You see it in his boxing, when he clinches, once we initiate that clinch, I’m gonna throw a knee right to his liver.”

Despite being one of the greatest fighters ever, Johnson has yet to establish himself as a pay-per-view draw and has recently been more vocal about improving his compensation from the UFC. A fight with Mayweather would almost assuredly prove to be the biggest opportunity available to “Mighty Mouse.” Perhaps that’s why he’s so interested in picking a fight with Mayweather.

“Floyd, come over here and beat up the smallest guy in the UFC,” said Johnson. “Come try your hand, try to beat up the smallest guy.”

MUST-READ STORIES

Wonderboy. Stephen Thompson says Rafael dos Anjos needs to fight him for a title shot.

Upset. Holly Holm says she feels “similarities” between UFC 219 and her Ronda Rousey upset.

Three. Mark Hunt says he has three fights left in the UFC and then he plans to leave.

Reality. Reality TV star Aaron Chalmers addressed the criticism regarding his MMA career.

VIDEO STEW

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Holly Holm saying Floyd could make the jump to MMA.

Dillashaw also in the hunt.

Cecilia Braekhus, undefeated 4 org boxing champ, saying she hopes to fight Cyborg.

A free Bellator fight for those of you jonesing for some MMA over the weekend.

Julian Marquez has a real enthusiasm for life.

Michael Johnson talking about his featherweight debut.

Perhaps the best remix.

LISTEN UP

MMA Beat. Roundtable discussion of the big fight question: MMAyweather.

MiddleEasy. MiddleEasy has entered the fight podcast game.

MMA Mad. Andre Soukhamthath and Marc Diakiese

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

True.

Also, Conor saying he wants to fight in Russia.

Class.

Thoughts and prayers to @danielstraus who was injured in a terrible motorcycle accident. Best of luck with the recovery, I hope you can be fully healed. — Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) December 21, 2017

Also class.

Unfortunately it isn’t my face on the UFC 220 poster but still as a fight fan I can say it’s going to be a good scrap. I don’t really have a favorite so may the best man win and for all the people that are telling that I should retire. Sorry guys I’m already in the gym! pic.twitter.com/Os3ODKhVlN — Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) December 21, 2017

Jimi says they don’t want to fight him.

Glover declined. Shogun declined. — JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) December 21, 2017

Bad news.

Unfortunately, doctors have pulled me from my upcoming @UFC 220 fight @tdgarden from neck injury, promise I’ll be backStronger!#BostonStrong pic.twitter.com/oxVU9WAYMZ — Charles Rosa (@CharlesRosaMMA) December 21, 2017

So say we all.

Dear Diaz @NateDiaz209 ,



We would really love to see you fight again brother. Could you please come back.



Kind regards,



The Rebel. — Gokhan Saki (@gokhantherebel) December 21, 2017

DC is too good for MMA.

It’ll be nice to have him back.

Slippin n Rippin with @joey_rodriguez916 A post shared by Chadmendes (@chadmendes) on Dec 21, 2017 at 9:26am PST

Sean O’Malley says he’s already re-booked.

March 3rd , The Sugar Show returns to Las Vegas . Sponsored by Lithia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of Helena Posted by Sugar Sean O'Malley on Thursday, December 21, 2017

This is just awesome.

That Phoenix card is headlined by Mounir "The Sniper" Lazzez who once sent a dude airborne with a kick in Desert FC. pic.twitter.com/9jQFwytRTl — caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 22, 2017

Boss Logic’s latest.

Sage getting tricky with it.

The best Christmas gift you can give your family.

ONE LAST CHANCE!!! ONE MORE FREE GIFT!!! Receive Jim Miller’s Spring Break Special with your order of A Very Red Bearded Christmas!!! 3 albums for the price of one! pic.twitter.com/1HCqcYXVEc — Jim Miller (@JimMiller_155) December 22, 2017

The real challenge for Woodley right now.

Still waiting for round two @TWooodley

I’ll give you round one.... round two bro! Let’s go! #DontBeScaredHomie pic.twitter.com/TmORDYzgjQ — Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) December 21, 2017

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Aaron Pico (1-1) vs. Shane Kruchten (12-3); Bellator 192, Jan. 20.

Tyrell Fortune (3-0) vs. Joe Hernandez (4-2); Bellator 193, Jan. 26.

Iuri Alcantara (35-9, 1 NC) vs. Joe Soto (18-6); UFC Belem, Feb. 3.

Sage Northcutt (9-2) vs. Thibault Gouti (12-3); UFC Austin, Feb. 18.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Just a heads up, there will be no MR on Monday as it’s a major holiday in the United States, but we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled programming on Tuesday. Enjoy the long weekend everyone and Merry Christmas to those who celebrate.

If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting, and like us on Facebook.