UFC

MANNY PACQUIAO has turned his attention to fighting Ryan Garcia after Conor McGregor suffered defeat at UFC 257.
McGregor revealed heading into his rematch against Dustin Poirier that talks to fight Pacquiao were intensifying.

Ryan Garcia and Manny Pacquiao are in talks Credit: Instagram @mannypacquiao

Conor McGregor was beaten by Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 Credit: Getty Images

So much so that he claimed a contract was being drawn up with the plan to fight this year.
But, that has been all but KO’d after Poirier avenged his 2014 loss and stopped McGregor himself.
According to The Athletic, Pacquiao, 42, is now in preliminary discussions with Ryan Garcia, 22.
Despite the 20-year age gap, WBA welterweight champion PacMan fights a stone above lightweight contender Garcia.

THE BEST MCGREGOR VS POIRIER REACTION

It is shades of Pacquiao’s 2009 fight with Oscar De La Hoya, when he moved up from lightweight to light-middleweight, winning emphatically.
Garcia has never fought above 135lb and appeared on course to agreeing a deal with rival Gervonta Davis, 26.
But in a sudden turn of events, the American – who is promoted by De La Hoya – revealed he had a bigger bout in the pipeline.
Pacquiao had wished McGregor well, tweeting: “Good luck tonight Conor! Let’s make 2021 the best year ever for fight fans.”

But he later congratulated Poirier, 32, for upsetting the odds in Abu Dhabi.
It leaves McGregor questioning his immediate fighting future, with a boxing return against Pacquiao now shelved.
He said: “I always did want to focus on my MMA career, but I’m also open, we’ll see what happens.
“I don’t know what will happen, that Manny fight was happening, it was as good as done.”

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FLOYD MAYWEATHER slammed Conor McGregor after defeat to Dustin Poirier and said ‘nobody wants to see’ him fight Manny Pacquiao. 
Mayweather was basking in the Irishman’s first knockout loss in the UFC, as McGregor was beaten in round two on Fight Island. 

Floyd Mayweather slammed Conor McGregor after UFC 257 Credit: Getty Images – Getty

The boxing legend, who beat the southpaw in 2017, responded to a post which questioned why his brash persona is frowned upon while McGregor’s is celebrated. 
He then claimed their differing receptions has racial undertones, and insisted his rival will never be able to replicate his success. 
Mayweather, 43, wrote on Instagram: “I seen this post and my take on it is that the world knows Con Artist McLoser can steal everything from me and be loved but I’m hated. 
“That just lets you all know that racism still exist. Just know, that bum will never be me or be on my level.

THE BEST MCGREGOR VS POIRIER REACTION

“I’m just built different, my mindset is on another planet, my skills are second to none, I’m a natural born winner and yes I talk a lot of trash, but every time I back it up!
“This is what they hate.
“It’s sad that you can be a poor black kid from the ghetto that has dealt with racism your whole life and work extremely hard to put yourself and your family in a better position, and most of the hate come from my own people.” 
McGregor, 32, was stopped in ten rounds by Mayweather in his ring debut. 

Conor McGregor after defeat to Dustin Poirier Credit: Getty Images

Conor McGregor was beaten by Floyd Mayweather in 2017Credit: Getty Images

The two have been subject to a lucrative rematch ever since, but more recently Manny Pacquiao, 42, has been in talks with McGregor. 
Pacquiao lost to Mayweather in 2015, in what proved to be the richest fight in boxing history. 
And it leaves the American all-time great mocking his ex-opponents for choosing to box each other. 
Mayweather added: “Conor cannot even win in his own sport, but talking about coming back to boxing to fight Pacquiao. 
“Nobody wants to see that, it’s like my leftovers eating leftovers.”

Floyd Mayweather beat Manny Pacquiao in 2015 Credit: Getty Images

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JAKE PAUL was quick to taunt Conor McGregor after defeat to Dustin Porier – as he withdrew his $50million fight offer.
McGregor was emphatically knocked out on his UFC comeback, as Poirier upset the odds in round two.

Jake Paul reacting to Conor McGregor’s defeat to Dustin Poirier

Conor McGregor was knocked out in round two

And while the result sent shockwaves around the world, YouTuber Paul took the opportunity to mock the UFC star and claimed he would now only offer him $10,000.
He said: “Conor, ay, ay, Conor – I got $10,000 for you cash, cash baby.
“You had $50million!”
Paul has relentlessly pursued a boxing match with the Irishman, sending several viral call outs.

And while on Tyson’s Hotboxin podcast, he questioned why McGregor rematched Dustin Poirier, who he beat in 2014 already.
But legendary heavyweight Iron Mike was quick to tell Paul that the Irishman, a former two-weight UFC champion, is not afraid of the fight.
Paul, 24, said: “I called out Conor McGregor while the whole entire world was watching.
“He’s fighting a guy, Dustin Poirier, who’s 5’9, 155-pounds, who he TKO’d already in one round.

“He’s fighting him again, why?”

THE BEST MCGREGOR VS POIRIER REACTION

Tyson, 54, then interrupts: “You know Conor’s not afraid of you, right?”
Paul replied: “I don’t give a s*** if he’s afraid of me, you don’t have to be afraid of someone to get your ass beat.
“There’s a $50million offer, proof of funds in the bank account waiting for him.”
Tyson uploaded the clip, and captioned the post: “𝙎𝙞𝙜𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚 @TheNotoriousMMA…”
Paul is 2-0 is his boxing career having turned pro in 2020, and recently knocked out retired NBA player Nate Robinson.

Conor McGregor KO’d at UFC 257 Credit: Getty Images – Getty
His next fight is set for April 17, with an opponent yet to be confirmed.
McGregor, 32, lost his boxing debut to Floyd Mayweather, 43, in 2017, but is in talks to return to the ring to face Manny Pacquiao, 42, this year.
But that crossover fight has now taken a massive blow following McGregor’s third UFC loss.

On the week of his return, the southpaw was asked about Paul’s repeated callouts.
McGregor said: “That is what it is. We’ll see what happens. That’s it. He seems like a confused little kid to me, to be honest.
“Now, he’s willing to get in, so we don’t know what’ll happen. It’s not on the radar at the minute with the young lad.
“I know him and Dillon [Danis] have been back and forth, so you never know. But I’m excited to see. Fair play to them.”

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LOGAN PAUL is in store for the ‘worst ass whoopin’ you’ve ever seen’ when he takes on Floyd Mayweather, warned Dana White.
YouTuber Paul, 25, was due to step into the boxing ring with the 50-0 legend on February 20.

Logan Paul is in store for a beating when he takes on Floyd Mayweather, says Dana WhiteCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Fight night looks set to be delayed as the pay-per-view exhibition event needed rescheduling.
But when it does come around, White reckons Paul will – unsurprisingly – take a battering.
The UFC chief told TMZ: “This is gonna be such a one-sided ridiculous ass-whoopin’, it’s not even gonna be funny.
“It’s gonna be bad.

“I’m open and I don’t dislike any one of these kids.
“But if Floyd Mayweather really shows up and goes in and fights this kid, it’s gonna be an ass whoopin’ like nobody has ever seen before.”
Mayweather, 43, has a perfect record against the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez and Oscar De La Hoya.
His most-recent professional fight was his victory over Conor McGregor in August 2017 before an exhibition win against Tenshin Nasukawa in December 2018.

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Paul, however, lost his only pro bout to rival KSI in November 2019.
And even his six-inch height advantage is not expected to help.
White added: “Logan’s gonna find out what speed is. Speed is power.
“When you get hit with s*** that you don’t see coming and when a guy like Floyd Mayweather starts putting it on you, it’s not even gonna be a fight.
“It’s gonna be ridiculous!
“Take the size difference and all the other things, it’s gonna look like what a grown man can do to his kid.”

The UFC president is confident 50-0 Mayweather would see off the YouTuberCredit: Splash News

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CONOR McGREGOR revealed a boxing match with Manny Pacquiao is ‘almost a certainty’ with a contract being finalised.
McGregor makes his anticipated UFC return on Saturday, in a rematch with Dustin Poirier, who he knocked out in 2014.

Manny Pacquiao is in talks to fight Conor McGregor Credit: AP:Associated Press

Conor McGregor revealed a contract is being drawn up with Manny Pacquiao

But, the Irishman is already being confronted with what will be next, and Filipino icon Pacquiao is a name heavily linked to the UFC superstar.
McGregor said talks are progressing to the point a contract is being drawn up, and expects the fight to take place before the year ends.
He told Sportsnet: “It’s almost a certainty.
“I’m hearing there’s contracts and all coming, you now what I mean? It’s that close.”

“I haven’t spoke, but it should happen in 2021.”
Before McGregor and Poirier, both 32, confirmed their UFC 257 headliner, the southpaw was in line to face Pacquiao, 42, next.
But the UFC convinced him to commit his future to the octagon, with a return to the ring shelved.
McGregor – who lost his boxing debut to Floyd Mayweather in 2017 – explained he is eager to kickstart his MMA career again.

But he has used preparation to face left-hander Poirier with one eye on fighting eight-division champion Pacquiao.
McGregor said: “Like I said, I want to get my MMA game going as well.
“Look, man I’m fighting Poirier who is a southpaw, Manny is a southpaw.
“I have been fighting professional boxers in the gym, sparring professional southpaw boxers in the gym in preparation not only for Dustin but in the back of my mind for Manny.
“I’ve had shorter 5ft 5in rockets coming at me, so I’m ready for whatever.”
McGregor and Pacquiao are both managed by Paradigm Sports, headed up by Audie Attar.
And Attar has already promised his megastar clients will fight next year, due to the demand from the fans.

Conor McGregor lost his boxing debut to Floyd Mayweather Credit: Rex Features

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