Fight fans love to watch Conor McGregor perform. Given the tweets and statements from the past week, it’s likely we’ll next see him in the squared circle, not an octagon.
UFC President Dana White told Barstool Sports Monday that the “retired” former champ won’t compete for the MMA company this year.
The statement comes two days after McGregor tweeted “tinatanggap go”, which means “I accept” in Filipino, a nod to the former boxing champion who currently serves in the Philippines’ Senate.
Conor McGregor vs Manny Pacquiao
McGregor has hinted to wanting more opportunities to box former champs, following his stoppage loss to Floyd Mayweather in 2017. The fight drew tremendous hype and a very high PPV price, which led to many sharing the broadcast via Periscope on Twitter.
The Notorious regained some swagger with his 40-second knockout of “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone in January of this year (feels like years ago, right?). Fighting older former champs like Pacquiao or Paulie Malignaggi seems like a transition for MMA’s lightning rod.
Biggest Fight of 2021?
Pacquaio remains WBA welterweight champ, at 41, and is targeted by promoter Bob Arum for a November bout against WBO titleholder Terence Crawford. If that fight happens, likely outside the US, that would push any opportunity to square off with McGregor in a major event to 2021.
If the fight happens, it will be a big deal, for viewers and bettors. McGregor’s return in October 2018 after nearly two years off drew big crowds at sportsbooks.
The masses filled the William Hill location at Ocean Resort in AC to watch him tap out to nemesis Khabib Nurmagomedov on Columbus Day Weekend. Big names move handle, and McGregor is a really big name in combat sports.
Odds That Conor McGregor Could Win?
Should the two parties agree to terms, Pacquaio will likely be the heavy favorite at all NJ sports betting sites. He is one of the greatest boxers of all time, despite his poor showing against Mayweather in their massive clash in 2015.
He will challenge the MMA star with barrages of punches and in-close fighting.
The physical lean of the fight might actually make this an easier challenge for McGregor than Money was three years ago. Boxing matches are 36 minutes long at 12 rounds, while MMA title fights are just 25 minutes for five rounds. That extra time proved too daunting for the octagon star.
Chasing Floyd Mayweather around the ring is exhausting. He is a great boxer, which means he’s really good at not getting hit. The defensive strategy wore down McGregor and the longer fight proved his undoing. The tenth-round stoppage meant he lasted longer in minutes than any UFC match.
Pacquaio will likely stand and exchange with his opponent. He may not throw as much as previous bouts but he will engage McGregor. McGregor can catch the boxing champ and stun him.
When the fight is announced, expect to see Pacman as the heavy favorite. Watch price movements as McGregor might get a good flow of public money. It will certainly create a lot of hype and likely have more fireworks than the 2017 contest against Mayweather.
