Former UFC two-division champion Conor McGregor is angling for a fight with multiple-time WBC boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.
McGregor took to Twitter to discuss his recent inactivity in the UFC, eventually stating he was going to fight Pacquiao in the Middle East.
Anyway all water under the bridge who gives a fook.
I’m boxing Manny Pacquiao next in the Middle East.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 25, 2020
Ariel Helwani of ESPN spoke to McGregor's manager, Audie Attar, who confirmed negotiations are ongoing and the UFC has green-lighted the idea:
The McGregor-Pacquiao boxing match would take place in late December or early January, Attar said. The Middle East is one of a few locations being discussed to host the fight, he added.
Attar recently told ESPN he had talks with the UFC about McGregor's future. On Friday, he said McGregor fighting Pacquiao in a boxing match was, in fact, one of the topics discussed; according to Attar, the UFC was on board with the idea.
Attar also told Helwani the two have yet to reach an agreement in terms of a specific weight.
Nevertheless, it seems McGregor is in line for another marquee boxing match after taking on the undefeated Floyd Mayweather in August of 2017.
It will be a true honour to have faced two of the greatest boxers of the modern era, afraid of a fight.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 25, 2020
McGregor's last bout in the UFC came in January, when he earned a TKO victory over lightweight contender Donald Cerrone in just 40 seconds.
The Cerrone fight was the first in what McGregor had previously been calling his 2020 “season.” However, as he addressed on Twitter, the company was hesitant to offer McGregor options going forward.
Here’s the finish of that exchange. Pre covid. Pre retirement.
Never turned down offer of Tony as was suggested at the time. I stated months in advance (early February) that I was not interested in being an alternate for two consistent pullouts.
Pushed for my own scheduled bouts pic.twitter.com/jXQD2dTWrL— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 25, 2020
I was pushing hard for the season.
Multiple opponents, multiple dates offered throughout. All to take place back to back.
Then when covid hit and the talk was that I would have to wait for crowds again, I walked away from the situation. I was waiting long enough at that stage.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 25, 2020
McGregor seems to have lost his patience as far as the Octagon is concerned, so he will instead return to ring.
Pacquiao has not fought since July of last year, when he beat Keith Thurman by split decision.
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