In a surprising series of tweets today, Conor McGregor claimed he is fighting Manny Pacquaio in a boxing match.
McGregor began the tweets by shouting out Diego Sanchez, who is fighting against Jake Matthews this weekend in UFC 253. According to McGregor, he was working to set up a fight in May before the pandemic:
To Diego Sanchez…
I seen your recent comments about your final bout and I am in!
After you fought Pereira, I had requested for myself and you to compete in Dublin. This was back in February when I was working on opposition for my season, pre covid.
Good luck this weekend! pic.twitter.com/Y0hf6Zr7XF— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 25, 2020
He then tweeted screenshots of his messages with Dana White about the potential fight:
3 weeks post my last record breaking event, I was campaigning for another blockbuster McGregor event to take place.
Sad about my season I must say 😔— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 25, 2020
Here’s the finish of that exchange. Pre covid. Pre retirement.
Never turned down offer of Tony as was suggested at the time. I stated months in advance (early February) that I was not interested in being an alternate for two consistent pullouts.
Pushed for my own scheduled bouts pic.twitter.com/jXQD2dTWrL— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 25, 2020
McGregor went on to explain that he had been pushing for multiple fights and weighing options, until the pandemic struck:
I was pushing hard for the season.
Multiple opponents, multiple dates offered throughout. All to take place back to back.
Then when covid hit and the talk was that I would have to wait for crowds again, I walked away from the situation. I was waiting long enough at that stage.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 25, 2020
Then, Conor McGregor dropped the potential revelation of a fight with Manny Pacquaio:
Anyway all water under the bridge who gives a fook.
I’m boxing Manny Pacquiao next in the Middle East.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 25, 2020
It will be a true honour to have faced two of the greatest boxers of the modern era, afraid of a fight.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 25, 2020
McGregor’s manager stated that the deal wasn’t done yet, per ESPN.
A Conor McGregor-Manny Pacquiao fight has been rumored for years, after the hype generated by the McGregor boxing match with Floyd Mayweather in 2017. This is McGregor’s only boxing match on record.
Manny Pacquaio, now a Philippine senator, last boxed in July 2019, winning the WBA welterweight title against Keith Thurman in a split decision. The 41 year old has not responded to this announcement yet.
Conor McGregor last fought in January against Donald Cerrone in a UFC welterweight headline fight. He won in the first round with a TKO. McGregor has been entangled in legal problems for years, from assault to sexual assualt, most recently in Corsica a few weeks ago.
A Conor McGregor-Manny Pacquiao fight would undoubtedly generate massive interest around the world. McGregor’s match with Floyd Mayweather was one of most financially lucrative events in boxing history.
This is a breaking story and may be updated as more information comes in.
