UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor has been issued a boxing license in California, fuelling further speculation of a professional boxing match with Floyd Mayweather.
McGregor's agent, Audie Attar and California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster both confirmed that the Dubliner is now licensed to box professionally in California.
McGregor made history last month when he became the first fighter to hold two UFC belts simultaneously although he has subsequently been stripped of the featherweight title.
"He got a licence today and a federal ID," Foster told MMAFighting.com. "He's a California boxer now.
"I'd love to see him fight in California. "It just needs to be the right opponent, certainly a high-level opponent. We're happy to license him."
The Dublin native has been quick to talk up the prospect of a multi-million dollar showdown with Mayweather in the past, however the fact that he has been issued a licence does not mean that he will switch codes.
McGregor has been very vocal and public in his negotiations with UFC and following his recent victory over Eddie Alvarez told the media that he was seeking equity in the company as it's biggest star.
Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions believes that the licence is a stunt from McGregor, one that he's using for leverage in his contract talks with UFC.
Speaking to ESPN, Ellerbe said: "It's all a game. It's all a calculated effort to gain more fans.
"He got a boxing license. Congratulations to him. Conor McGregor can say anything he wants to, but he has a boss and his name is [UFC president] Dana White.
"He is under contract to the UFC, and if he wanted to fight Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match, he can't because his bosses wouldn't allow that to happen."
