MMA

DUSTIN POIRIER believes Conor McGregor still wants to face Manny Pacquiao and could use their rematch to prepare for the fight.
McGregor, 32, last month announced he would be boxing Pacquiao, only to then accept an offer to fight Poirier in the UFC.

4

Dustin Poirier is in talks to fight Conor McGregor in the UFC

4

McGregor has been training ahead of his UFC comeback

The UFC want the Irishman to return to the octagon on January 23, but Notorious is adamant he will fight before the year’s end.
That leaves his proposed mega-fight with Filipino Pacquiao, 41, up in the air.
But left-hander Poirier, 31, reckons McGregor wants to fight another southpaw before starting the year with a boxing match against PacMan.
He told THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas: “He’s angling to fight Pacquiao right? That was in the news.

“I don’t know if the UFC wants him to fight one more time before they allow him to fight Pacquiao or if he just wants to get one more in this year before starting next year with the Pacquiao fight.
“But what better way to do it against another southpaw.
“I think that might be part of his mindset, maybe he wants to fight a southpaw before he fights another southpaw.
“I don’t know what’s going on but I just feel like that’s what the alignment is.”

4

Pacquiao was in talks to face former UFC champion McGregor Credit: Getty Images – Getty

4

McGregor faces fighting two consecutive southpaws in Poirier and Pacquiao Credit: Twitter / @TheNotoriousMMA

FUR SURE
Lucas Browne ‘more than willing’ to welcome Tyson Fury back to UK in December

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
Fury confirms Wilder fight is OFF and ‘I’ve moved on’ to face AJ

Pictured

SPENT OUT
Spence shows off facial injuries in hospital bed year after high-speed car crash

Exclusive

BOUT DOUBT
Ali secretly revealed he was SCARED to fight Mike Tyson, claims George Foreman

SPAR TURN
Secret texts before Joshua defeat to Ruiz reveal American agreed to sparring role

McGregor last fought in January, knocking out 37-year-old Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds.
But his plan for a three-fight ‘season’ was dashed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The lack of activity led to McGregor announcing his retirement and later spending the summer holidaying in France and Italy, where he continued to train.
He does now appear close to confirming his return with the possibility of securing a second fight this year.
And Pacquiao has kept his hopes of facing the former UFC champion alive after agreeing a new deal with management company Paradigm, who also work with McGregor.

Conor McGregor tells Dustin Poirier he’s ready for UFC return but showdown MUST be in 2020 More

CONOR McGREGOR has been told how to beat Manny Pacquaio by an Italian boxing trainer – who hailed the ex-UFC champion for his ‘speed, agility and power’.
McGregor was holidaying in the Liguria region of Italy when he announced his next fight would be against Pacquiao.

3

Conor McGregor with Round Zero Gym owner and trainer Luca RiccardiCredit: @roundzerogym

3

Manny Pacquiao was in talks to fight UFC star McGregor Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Afterwards, he sought a place to train, before walking into the Round Zero Gym and met coach and owner Luca Riccardi.
Riccardi watched on as McGregor sparred his son, later taking the Irishman on the pads, and was impressed with what he saw.
He even mapped out a game plan on how to fight Pacquaio, 41, despite the Irishman remaining tight lipped on whether the lucrative crossover fight was a done deal.
Riccardi told SunSport: “I told him that against Pacquiao he has to fight in a particular way, but he never admitted or denied that he’s going to fight with Pacquiao.

“Conor is not a boxer, but thanks to his speed, agility and power could fight with any European boxer.”
McGregor put his UFC career on hold in 2017 to make his lucrative boxing debut, losing in ten rounds against Mayweather, 43.
Before his last win against 37-year-old Donald Cerrone in January The Notorious promised fans he would lace up the gloves again.
McGregor even insisted he would win a world title in the ring.

3

McGregor sparred with Riccardi’s sonCredit: @roundzerogym

MAN IN THE BOX
Fury ‘talking nonsense’ by claiming Wilder better than Joshua, says Bellew

TYS-ON THE MARKET
Mike Tyson’s old homes include 21-bed mansion & house that’s now a church

RING IT IN
Tyson confirms Jones Jr fight WILL go ahead on November 28 with epic promo video

IRON FIST
Frank Warren reveals night Mike Tyson punched him in face over £2m jewellery bill

SPAR TURN
Secret texts before Joshua defeat to Ruiz reveal American agreed to sparring role

ratings war
Loma vs Lopez: The unmissable blockbuster bout Brit TV doesn’t want you to see

But despite his supreme confidence and experience, Riccardi can not guarantee that the Dubliner could reign as a world champion in both sports.
The trainer said: “It could be possible, depends on how long he is going to train, who is the trainer, again a lot of factors involved.
“In boxing everything is possible, too many factors involved and it’s very difficult to express a prevision.”
McGregor, who had announced his retirement in June, appeared set to return to the ring before the UFC.
But the former featherweight and lightweight king then accepted an offer to rematch Dustin Poirier – who he beat in 2014 – which he hopes to squeeze in before the year’s out.
It leaves his proposed boxing match with Pacquiao up in the air, but Riccardi is open to lending McGregor a hand again in the future.
He said: “It has been a great pleasant experience, for sure unexpected but still wonderful.
“Conor supposed to stay longer, but he had to leave unexpectedly. It would be a wonderful occasion for me to meet and train him again.”

Conor McGregor tells Dustin Poirier he’s ready for UFC return but showdown MUST be in 2020 More

MANNY PACQUIAO could lose his WBA world title if he fights Conor McGregor, reports say.
The Filipino icon confirmed he is in talks to face McGregor, who lost his boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather three years ago.

3

Manny Pacquiao ‘faces being stripped’ of the WBA welterweight title if he fights Conor McGregorCredit: Getty Images – Getty

3

McGregor and Pacquiao both confirmed they are in talks to fight Credit: Twitter / @TheNotoriousMMA

But according to World Boxing News, Pacquiao ‘faces being stripped’ of his welterweight title if he goes through the with mega-money headliner.
The 41-year-old won the WBA’s ‘Super’ title in July 2019, beating Keith Thurman, 31, on points.
He has not fought since, having seen his ring return delayed amid the coronavirus pandemic, meaning the belt has not been defended.
It is claimed the WBA want Pacquiao to defend his title within the next sixth months against a ranked contender.

McGregor’s manager Audie Attar, who last year linked up with PacMan, revealed talks are progressing for a fight in December or January with the Notorious.
That would mean Pacquiao would need to box again in April to satisfy the WBA.
Yordenis Ugas, 34, is the ‘Regular’ champion, and should PacMan be unable to face him in a unification, the Cuban could be elevated and Pacquiao stripped.

3

How McGregor and Pacquiao stack up ahead of their proposed fight

THEATRE OF SCREAMS
Hearn wants Rooney vs Ferdinand charity BOXING match at Old Trafford

A CUT ABOVE
Fury has ‘far too much’ for Joshua… Wilder is a ‘tougher test’, says cutman

IRON FIST
Frank Warren reveals night Mike Tyson punched him in face over £2m jewellery bill

FAT CHANCE
Mayweather says he was overweight for bizarre fight vs kickboxer Nasukawa

Pictured

PAC TO BASICS
McGregor trains with Italian coach who advised UFC star to stop ‘headhunting’

SPAR TURN
Secret texts before Joshua defeat to Ruiz reveal American agreed to sparring role

At present, the eight-division champ has no mandatory challenger, with Jamal James, 32, the No1 ranked contender.
It allows Pacquiao to face McGregor, 32, but it remains unclear whether the WBA will sanction it as a title fight.
And the governing body must also decide how long the champion can go without making a defence of his belt.

Mayweather’s uncle expects a one sided beatdown between Pacquiao and McGregor More

CONOR McGREGOR continued his training to face Manny Pacquiao and was told to invest more in body punching by an Italian trainer.
McGregor was holidaying in the Liguria region of Italy and sought a place to train, having announced he will be boxing Pacquaio in his next fight.

3

Conor McGregor with Round Zero Gym owner Luca Riccardi

3

McGregor was looking for a place to train having holidayed in Italy

The 32-year-old travelled to La Spezia and was initially denied entry at the Round Zero Gym, as Covid-19 regulations restricted the amount of boxers allowed inside.
Gym owner Luca Riccardi told Città della Spezia: “He entered the door and asked me to use my gym for a week.
“I looked at the [registered students] and saw that I have no room for him.
“I had to send someone home, but those are the people that pay my bills, so I gently said I couldn’t take him in.”

Riccardi’s son then convinced his dad to allow the former UFC champion to train the next day.
He said: “He told me that I was crazy.
“I spoke to my customers and asked them if that was cool for them.
“Of course everybody agreed, telling me that they would have been proud of hosting him and they moved to a secondary, smaller room.”

3

McGregor sparred during his time in the Italian gym

THEATRE OF SCREAMS
Hearn wants Rooney vs Ferdinand charity BOXING match at Old Trafford

IRON FIST
Frank Warren reveals night Mike Tyson punched him in face over £2m jewellery bill

A CUT ABOVE
Fury has ‘far too much’ for Joshua… Wilder is a ‘tougher test’, says cutman

FAT CHANCE
Mayweather says he was overweight for bizarre fight vs kickboxer Nasukawa

SPAR TURN
Secret texts before Joshua defeat to Ruiz reveal American agreed to sparring role

The trainer even took McGregor on the pads and watched on as he sparred, instructing the Irishman to mix up his variety of punches.
Riccardi explained: “He warmed up and then asked me to train together.
“I wasn’t embarrassed, I’m a coach so I treated him the same way I would have treated any other student.
“I noticed that he almost never go for the body, he always looking for the headshot.
“I even gave him a couple of advice since he’s willing to fight Pacquiao.
“I have acted professional the whole time, because that’s what I am.
“The only time I’ve been emotional was when Conor was sparring with my son and he turned to me and told me ‘he’ll be a champion’.”

Mayweather’s uncle expects a one sided beatdown between Pacquiao and McGregor More

MANNY PACQUIAO has confirmed he will fight Conor McGregor – but only if he acts as co-promoter.
The stars are in talks for a blockbuster event which is believed to be targeted for December or January.

4

Manny Pacquiao confirmed he wants to fight Conor McGregor Credit: Getty Images – Getty

4

McGregor and Pacquiao are in talks to fight Credit: AP:Associated Press

McGregor’s manager Audie Attar this year linked up with Filipino icon PacMan.
But the WBA welterweight champion revealed that as yet he has no current contractual obligation with Attar’s Paradigm Sports company.
And he insisted he will only agree terms to fight McGregor, 32, if he can co-promote the event.
Pacquiao, 41, said in a statement: “At the present time, I do not have an existing management contract with Paradigm Sports Management. 

“I have formed my own company, Pac Sports and Entertainment, and am more than willing to give the fans what they want: An exciting fight with Conor McGregor under terms and conditions where I am the co-promoter with my company.
“Thank you and God bless.”
McGregor – who retired in June – made the announcement that he would come back to fight Pacquiao in the Middle East on Twitter.
Attar had said the UFC were involved in talks for the Irishman – who lost his boxing debut to Floyd Mayweather in 2017 – to lace up the gloves again.

4

McGregor is training to lace up the gloves against Pacquiao Credit: Twitter / @TheNotoriousMMA

SPAR TREATMENT
Conor McGregor sparring partners reveal how good UFC star is in boxing ring

GONNA GET WILD
Fury tells Joshua to fight him in DECEMBER in behind-closed-doors UK battle

WILDCARD
Mayweather offers to train Wilder for Fury & says ‘we can make his skills better’

GLOVE ISLAND
Love Island star Jack Fincham to make pro boxing debut on November 10

MAYDAY
Mayweather demands £500m to box McGregor and Khabib as he aims dig ‘soft’ Irishman

PAC IT IN
McGregor accused of ‘lying’ about Pacquiao fight and forced to delete poster

And they hoped he could return to the octagon next year to face the winner between Khabib Nurmagomedov, 32, and Justin Gaethje, 31, who fight this month at UFC 254.
But McGregor publicly blasted the UFC and even shared private messages with Dana White, claiming he was ‘held back’ from competing.
White – who said he had ‘no idea’ about McGregor’s plans to box Pacquiao – then revealed Saudi Arabian chiefs were not aware of the fight and even ordered the Irishman to remove a social media post publicising the fight.
The UFC president told Barstool Sports: “I don’t know if you just saw, but the Saudi’s went after Conor.

4

How McGregor and Pacquiao stack up ahead of their proposed fight
“They basically said, it’s a lie that fight is happening and you better take that down in the next 15 minutes or we’re going to sue you.
“He took it down. You don’t see the poster anymore about him and Manny.”
SunSport understands a deal is almost in place for McGregor to face Pacquiao.
A date and venue appears to be the only obstacle left to finalise.

Conor McGregor offered UFC return against Dustin Poirier by Dana White with American accepting rematch More

CONOR McGREGOR deleted a poster announcing a fight with Manny Pacquiao and was accused of lying about the event.
Both the Irishman and Pacquiao confirmed they are in talks for a boxing match, which McGregor claimed would take place in the Middle East.

3

Conor McGregor deleted this fight poster on Instagram

3

But Ali Abdelaziz, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager, said a Saudi Arabian contact forced The Notorious to take down a post on Instagram.
The mocked up poster, which says McGregor, 32, will fight Pacquiao, 41, in Saudi, has now been deleted.
Abdelaziz tweeted: “Is funny how’s this Liar posted a photo him and Pacman Fighting in Saudi Arabia ?
“I was talking right now with my friend from Saudi Arabia and he told me Conor and his team got 3 hours to take this post down and guess what he did like a little b**ch It was all fake zero Truth.”

UFC president Dana White, who insisted he had ‘no idea’ about talks progressing for McGregor to face Pacquiao, backed up Abdelaziz’s claim.
White told Barstool Sports: “I don’t know if you just saw, but the Saudi’s went after Conor.
“They basically said, it’s a lie that fight is happening and you better take that down in the next 15 minutes or we’re going to sue you.
“He took it down. You don’t see the poster anymore about him and Manny.”

3

How McGregor and Pacquiao stack up ahead of their proposed fight

SPAR TREATMENT
Conor McGregor sparring partners reveal how good UFC star is in boxing ring

GONNA GET WILD
Fury tells Joshua to fight him in DECEMBER in behind-closed-doors UK battle

WILDCARD
Mayweather offers to train Wilder for Fury & says ‘we can make his skills better’

GLOVE ISLAND
Love Island star Jack Fincham to make pro boxing debut on November 10

MAYDAY
Mayweather demands £500m to box McGregor and Khabib as he aims dig ‘soft’ Irishman

Audie Attar, who manages both McGregor and Pacquiao, has said the UFC are on board in the talks for the pair to fight.
But Abdelaziz believes it has little chance of taking place in the Middle East, with Nurmagomedov, 32, more likely to box Floyd Mayweather, 43.
He wrote: “When your team called Middle East you guys got shutdown in Saudi Arabia , nobody in Abu Dhabi is going to do business with you.
“If any fight will happen , it would be Khabib VS Mayweather in the Middle East.
“Human are not perfect , but you are the last m******r people from Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi would do business with.”

John Kavanagh says he will always have a hand in McGregor’s training but the bulk of the work will be done by others More