Are we witnessing the start of yet another trip to the boxing world for Conor McGregor? If so, UFC president Dana White seems heated about his biggest star’s interaction with Manny Pacquiao…
As we come to the end of another busy week in combat sports, it’s hard to feel like we aren’t trapped in a groundhog day loop. Yet again, Conor McGregor is linked to a massive boxing match, Nate Diaz is done with the UFC and Dana White is mad at everybody.
Concerning McGregor, eight-weight champion Manny Pacquiao confirmed talks were underway with the Irishman for a 2018 boxing clash. Having already featured in a circus-like loss against Floyd Mayweather, McGregor’s boxing career didn’t start great.
Now, with the UFC lightweight belt begging to be defended, nobody can say whether McGregor will fight again. Issues about pay for his return fight in the UFC have kept the Irishman sidelined from MMA action.
Pac Man Talk & Dana White’s Legal Threats
Pac Man lit up the airwaves with talk of a 2018 boxing match against McGregor. According to his UFC contract, that wouldn’t be allowed, but then nor would a money fight against Mayweather.
While his second UFC title goes undefended for over a year, ‘The Notorious’ breaks records but also frustrates. According to UFC president Dana White, Pacquiao and his team are cruising for some legal action after their recent comments:
Dana White, on Manny Pacquiao allegedly reaching out to Conor McGregor … "That would be weird, because he's under contract with us. If that's true, I'll be suing Manny Pacquiao and whoever's representing him."
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) December 10, 2017
Dana Also Goes Red at GSP
Speaking during the post-fight press conference for UFC Fresno, White took aim at former welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre. After defeating Michael Bisping following a four-year absence, GSP vacated the title citing health issues.
Needless to say, everyone’s favorite bald person wasn’t amused but admits he also wasn’t surprised (motherf*ckers). Props to LowKickMMA.com for the transcript:
“At the end of the day, there’s a reason I put that stuff in the contract for him to sign,” White said. “There’s a reason. You know, am I shocked? I don’t think anybody’s shocked. He came out, he hand-picked Bisping, then went away again. So whatever. It is what it is.”
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“He doesn’t want to fight anybody at welterweight. That’s why he fought Bisping,” White said. “He didn’t want to fight Woodley, he didn’t want to fight “Wonderboy” Thompson, he didn’t want to fight any of those guys. He wanted to fight Michael Bisping. He did, and now he’s off again, so – listen, I’m not shocked, I’m not mad, it is what it is.”
“I thought I would be, but I’m not,” White said. “I expected it. Listen, I had him sign a contract that said he would defend against Whittaker for a reason. Because I knew he wouldn’t.”
