UFC Stars Offer Their Mayweather-Pacquiao Predictions

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The buzz and anticipation of the Mayweather-Pacquiao mega-fight on May 2 is so great that even stars of other sports can’t help but chime in and share their predictions. Here’s a look at what several UFC superstars think about Mayweather, Pacquiao, and the outcome of boxing’s biggest bout ever.

"I think Pacquiao is going to give Mayweather some trouble, but Mayweather will find a way to win in the end."-- Anthony Pettis, former lightweight champ (Latin Post)

"100 percent he's [Pacquiao] gonna win the fight. It's gonna be by decision because the thing about Mayweather, he's hard to connect on that's why I said volume [was the key]. Volume is gonna be his way of winning the fight." – “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” Mark Munoz, Middleweight contender (GMA News)

"Five years ago I'd have Pacquiao winning that fight because I think Pacquiao was as fast as Floyd and hit harder...Floyd's tough, man. Floyd's defense, speed, even at his age, you know...I would have to give Mayweather the edge [now]...And, just to let you know, I still wear Pacquiao's shoes to the gym every day, that's what a Pacquiao fan I am." --UFC President Dana White (MMA Weekly)

[Julio Cesar Chavez: “My Heart Says Pacquiao, But…”]

“Mayweather-Pacquiao, it’s the biggest fight in history...Mayweather is just a little more slicker, Mayweather is a lot faster, and he’s fresher . He’s never been knocked out unconscious, and that takes a toll on a fighter. I think Mayweather will pull it off by decision."-- Tito Ortiz, UFC Legend (Tha Boxing Voice)

"...Now we're looking at guys who are on the downside of their careers. I think Pacquiao still wins it because he's so high active. And if you look at Mayweather's style, it's built for a right-handed fighter...The way he stands and lifts his elbow and kind of keeps it out...Manny's game is specifically built to beat a right-handed fighter, whereas Mayweather's game is specifically built to beat a right-handed fighter...well, Manny's left-handed, so his [Mayweather's] whole style has to change up. He can't do that same style because Manny's gonna hit him in the ribs, Manny's gonna come over the top and hit him in the head because Manny's got a great right hook. Mayweather's usually good when guys aren't turning on him, but Manny turns, turns, turns the entire time..." -- Frank Trigg, former middleweight contender (Fight Hub TV)

"Pacquiao's gonna be the smaller, faster guy, but Mayweather's defense is going to be too much for him." --Urijah Faber, bantamweight contender (Fight Hub TV)

UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion, Ronda Rousey, who is reportedly getting the only free ticket to the mega-bout courtesy of promoter Bob Arum, won’t publicly issue a prediction, but is clear as to where her loyalties are:

"Pacquiao has been very, very nice to me so I’m going to root for him,” Rousey told TMZ.

And in somewhat of a return vote of support, the eight-division world champ Manny Pacquiao didn’t hesitate in answering the question of whether Rousey could beat Floyd Mayweather in the octagon.

"I believe so,” Pacquiao told the media. “She's strong. She's strong enough to beat Floyd Mayweather in MMA."

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