Conor McGregor's coach John Kavanagh says preparations are already underway for a potential big money fight with Floyd Mayweather.
A bout between the UFC lightweight champion and the retired, and up-to-now unbeaten Mayweather has yet to be announced despite much speculation over recent months.
But speaking to Fox Sports News, Kavanagh said McGregor is getting ready nevertheless.
"In my mind it's on," said Kavanagh of the McGregor-Mayweather fight when asked how close an announcement is.
"That's the mentality we're in. Like you said, there's a lot of fingers in the pie in this one. There's different promotions, different organisations and different commissions that are involved.
"But as far as I'm concerned, I really believe it's going to happen this year. That's the mindset I have. So let the people in the suits deal with the paperwork and we're training for it."
Kavanagh also talked about some of that training and preparation for the potential boxing bout.
"We can cut out all the grappling training that we'd have to do [for MMA]. It's simpler, it's not easier and there are less skills involved. We're training different for it than we have in the past," he said, before touching on weights.
"There's 147lb being thrown around - 67 kilos - and Conor's fought at 66 kilos plenty of time, so that won't be an issue. But that's one of those points to be argued by the guys."
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