UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor has been keeping the MMA world on the edge of their seats. Now, after talking about how unsure he was about 2018, talks have been confirmed with another boxing legend…
Conor McGregor’s journey through combat sports has been unique, frustrating and trailblazing at the same time. After winning the UFC featherweight belt from Jose Aldo at UFC 194, McGregor’s phone never stopped ringing.
Everyone wanted a piece of ‘The Notorious,’ from WWE stars to boxers and MMA fighters, and even Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps. Competing twice against Nate Diaz in a pair of unlikely welterweight fights in 2016, McGregor would then receive a lightweight title shot.
Although he had never competed at 155 pounds in the UFC, ‘The Notorious’ jumped straight to the front of the queue. Ironically, the rope the UFC gifted McGregor is now being used to hang the promotion in negotiations.
That same leeway led McGregor to a boxing match with Floyd Mayweather this year, after another period of championship inactivity for the UFC.
First Mayweather, Now Pac Man Talk?!?
Earlier this week, McGregor spoke openly about wanting to compete either in boxing or MMA. He said that only when his demands are met will he defend his title, which could well be never:
“My focus is getting back into the right ring or octagon. 2017 was historic.” McGregor said of his wild 2017. “I have transcended both the sport of MMA and boxing.”
“At this stage of my career, as it has been for the majority of my UFC career, potential opponents must lobby for fights with me.We could see Conor McGregor anywhere. I run the fight game, the fashion game, the whiskey game, or whatever the next business endeavour might be.
“I have every intention of fighting in 2018 if my compensation and business development endeavours accurately reflect my influence on combat sports.”
Manny Pacquiao then confirmed talks with Conor McGregor are underway:
(via Yahoo!):
“If we can negotiate it, I have no problem. It is OK with both of us. Initially, but we have not yet had any follow-up conversations,” Pacquiao said.
It depends who they can finalise as my opponent by April.”
Essentially, if the UFC doesn’t pony up, the boxing world will again welcome the novice Irishman to a bank-breaking fight with a pugilistic legend. What was everyone saying about boxing being dead?
Ufc offered me title fight in any weight class Im kool though I'll givem a shot when they do something good
On to the next sport for now 🥊🥊— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) December 9, 2017
Boxing 2-0 UFC
Now fighters are starting to see money in boxing, the somewhat shady and tight-pursed tactics of the UFC don’t seem so appealing. UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou is already being linked to a boxing heavyweight title fight after UFC 218.
So what are the UFC to do? Should they cough up the cash to keep their biggest stars interested in generating them the bigger money, or do they let them trot off to boxing and other lines of work for better pay?
To be continued, but maybe without Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz…
