After his loss to Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor has since not been seen in any fights.
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Conor McGregor is scheduled to return to the Octagon later this year, but he also plans to return to the boxing ring at some point. After shattering two leg bones in a loss to long-time rival Dustin Poirier in July 2021, “Notorious” is currently recovering. Although there is no set timetable for his return to the UFC, Dana White, the promotion’s president, has stated that a return this Fall for the former two-division champion is highly likely.
McGregor spoke with Sky Sports on his fighting future while watching the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend. He added that his leg is mending nicely and that he hopes to be back in the cage soon during the chat. While he announced that his next fight will be in the UFC, he also stated that he intends to compete in boxing again in the future.
Conor McGregor said, “Boxing is my first love in combat sports,” McGregor said. “It’s boxing. I had such a great time the last time I was out there. Obviously, my return will be inside the octagon for the UFC in mixed martial arts … That’s where I’ll make my return. But boxing, I will grace the squared circle again in the future.” In his lone boxing debut in 2017, McGregor challenged boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather, Jr. He was defeated via a technical knockout in the tenth round. Let’s have a look at three possible opponents for the Irishman if he decides to return to boxing sooner rather than later.
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There was a lot of speculation about a hypothetical battle between Conor McGregor and former eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao before his January 2021 defeat to Dustin Poirier. However, after being knocked out by the “Diamond,” that plan was abandoned. Nonetheless, with McGregor’s career at a crossroads and “Pacman’s” attempt to become President of the Philippines having failed, a match for the sake of pure entertainment in the coming year seems plausible. A McGregor versus Pacquiao fight would fit right in with the likes of Logan Paul vs Mayweather and Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones, Jr. in today’s boxing landscape.
Despite being 45 years old, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is still a competitive fighter. He has continued active in freakshow fights like his exhibitions against Paul in 2021 and most recently vs former sparring partner Don Moore in Abu Dhabi, while not engaging in professional bouts where his 50-0 record would be put in jeopardy. Given that Mayweather has already defeated “Notorious,” he may be prepared to put his record on the line in a professional rematch that many of both men’s fans would be interested in. Money speaks, and a rematch between two of the most popular box office draws in combat sports history would undoubtedly bring in a lot of cash. Even if it has no place in boxing or mixed martial arts.
Despite his extensive expertise as a world-class MMA fighter, the Irishman’s battle with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. five years ago was never logical. While MMA and boxing are both combat sports, they are fundamentally different, therefore it’s no surprise that McGregor was knocked out in his boxing match by a fighter who isn’t known for finishing fights quickly. A bout versus the 5-0 boxing lightning rod, on the other hand, makes a lot more sense. Jake Paul has two boxing victories against defunct Bellator champion Ben Askren and two wins over one-time UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley.
Stephen Thompson declines the quick turnaround fight and wants Usman next.
