“The impossible deal is now done.”

They were the words of UFC president Dana White in the wake of the announcement that sent the sports world into a spin.

White, a veteran promoter, must have been screaming for joy on the inside as he confirmed he'd brokered one of the biggest fights of all time.

Floyd Mayweather (49-0 in boxing) and Conor McGregor (21-3 in MMA), toe-to-toe on August 26.

The pair had done a lot of talking before last week's announcement but many combats sports fans – this one included – thought the fight would never happen.

McGregor was always going to jump at the opportunity to face a boxing legend for a colossal payout.

That's a no brainer - he has almost nothing to lose.

But Mayweather's choice was far more interesting.

To put it lightly, he's not known for taking risks.

All of the talk about McGregor seemed like a bit of fun - perhaps a way for him to keep his name in the headlines while he enjoys retirement.

Then he signed on the dotted line.

For him, the money and the apparent ease of the match-up must have been the deciding factors.

If he can earn $400m for reaching the magical 50-0 mark against a debutant, why not?

But there's a lot at stake.

If - and that's an almighty if - things go horribly wrong for the 40-year-old, the consequences are severe.

Not only will his legacy take a blow harder than any McGregor can muster, but boxing itself will suffer.

For years the American has outclassed the next best of his generation.

Oscar de la Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez, Shane Mosley, Victor Ortiz, Miguel Cotto, Canelo Alvarez, Marcos Maidana, Manny Pacquiao - it's a mind-boggling list.

All of those men would be overwhelming favourites against McGregor, 28, who has never had a professional boxing bout.

It's hard to put a fine enough point on the gulf in class, but that doesn't mean you can write the Irishman off completely.

He's younger, bigger, more powerful and less predictable.

His UFC wins have revealed a keen sense of timing and distance underpinning his talented hands.

He also thrives under pressure, as evidenced by his shockingly effective performances in title fights against Jose Aldo and Eddie Alvarez.

All of that should count for very little given the competition he's faced and the defensive mastery of his opponent.

Mayweather's faced big punchers before - big punchers who were far more technical.

His footwork, shoulder rolls, head movement and speed have brought them all undone.

Even after two years out of the sport, he should box rings around him.

The question now becomes: can the impossible be done again?

Aussie woman lands huge UFC title fight

Megan Anderson has secured Australia’s first female UFC title shot – and it’s an absolute cracker.

Anderson has been plucked from Invicta Fighting Championships to fight Brazilian destroyer Cris “Cyborg” Justino for the vacant featherweight title at the UFC’s biggest event of the year to date.

The clash will co-headline UFC 214, a card topped by the rematch between light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and troubled contender Jon Jones.

An upset win on such a big stage would catapult the Queenslander into stardom.

It would also make her Australia’s first undisputed UFC champion. Sydney’s Robert Whittaker fights Yoel Romero for the interim middleweight title at UFC 213.

The women’s featherweight title is vacant because the UFC stripped inaugural champion Germaine de Randamie (7-3) after she refused to defend her belt against Justino (17-1).

De Randamie cited Justino’s history of steroid abuse as the reason for declining the fight.

Anderson (8-2), the reigning Invicta FC featherweight champion, was only too happy to step up to the plate.

The 27-year-old will have her hands full against a fearsome striker who hasn’t lost in 12 years.

One advantage she’ll have over past opponents is her size.

Her 75” inch reach will give her a seven-inch advantage over the shorter Brazilian.

Both women prefer to stand and strike so no matter how long the fight lasts in Anaheim on July 29, it should be action-packed.

Expect Justino, 31, to wait for her opening then pour on the power.

If Anderson can weather the early storm and bring her reach into play, she has the tools to make “Cyborg” look human.