UFC star Conor McGregor, increasingly frustrated with his prolonged absence from the octagon, has set his sights on a boxing match with the legendary Manny Pacquiao. McGregor’s last UFC appearance was a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021, while Pacquiao, now 45, has been inactive in professional boxing since his defeat to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021, despite participating in exhibition matches post-retirement.
McGregor has expressed his dissatisfaction with the UFC’s handling of his comeback, citing delays and lack of communication. He revealed that there’s interest from Saudi Arabian promoters in setting up a boxing match with Pacquiao, following the precedent of a lucrative crossover bout they funded between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou. However, McGregor's participation would require approval from the UFC, given his contractual obligations.
Attending the “Day of Reckoning” event in Riyadh, McGregor spoke out about his situation. He highlighted his significant contributions to the fight industry, feeling undervalued and overlooked despite being a major revenue generator. McGregor's impatience is palpable as he urges the UFC to facilitate his return to action.
In a bold call-out, McGregor challenged Pacquiao to a fight at a higher weight class, suggesting that if Pacquiao insists on a lower weight, the fight should allow McGregor to utilize his MMA skills, like kicking and grappling, for fairness. McGregor's challenge is laced with provocation, questioning Pacquiao's readiness to step up to such a unique challenge.
Image Credit: DAZN