UFC

CONOR McGREGOR’S boxing coach revealed there is an ’85-90 per cent chance’ he fights Manny Pacquiao after rematching Dustin Poirier.
McGregor marks his return to action on January 23, facing Poirier, who he beat in 2014, on Fight Island in the UFC 257 headliner.

Conor McGregor pictured with coach Phil Sutcliffe, middle Credit: Instagram / @dylanmrann

Manny Pacquiao has been in talks to fight Conor McGregor Credit: Getty Images – Getty

But already there is speculation about what the Irishman will do next, with the prospect of fighting Pacquiao looming large.
Phil Sutcliffe, who is in charge of McGregor’s boxing, is confident the former two-weight UFC champion will return to the ring after his rematch with Poirier.
Sutcliffe told ESPN: “85-90 per cent chance, maybe April, March.
“March, April or May. I’d like him to be in a boxing camp for at least two months, eight weeks.

“I mean, he’s fit now, he’s going to train straight after the fight. He’s gonna take probably a week off.
“I told him take a week off. Don’t worry, if he wants to take a week off, he can, then go straight back on the horse.
“We don’t want him out gallivanting too much, but he has to enjoy the win, he has to enjoy the win, enjoy the contest.”
McGregor, 32, put his UFC career on hold in 2017 to make a lucrative boxing debut, losing to Floyd Mayweather, 43, in ten rounds.

But he did so without the help of Sutcliffe, who was the first man ever to train the future superstar.
The pair linked up again in 2019, and in McGregor’s last fight – for the first time in the UFC – Sutcliffe was in the corner.
In September, The Notorious first announced talks were underway with himself and 42-year-old Pacquiao.
But the UFC managed to convince the southpaw to commit his future to the octagon, where he will face Poirier, 31, at lightweight.
McGregor’s manager Audi Attar, who also represents Pacquiao, confirmed he plans to match his two clients against each other this year.

Conor McGregor made his boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather Credit: AP:Associated Press

Manny Pacquiao pictured with manager Audi Attar – who is also McGregor’s managerCredit: Instagram @audieattar
But it was met with strong reluctance from UFC president Dana White, who has urged McGregor to forget boxing and focus on MMA in 2021.
White said: “A boxing match with any of these guys, that stuff’s always going to be there.
“You are the absolute best in the world right now in MMA and the timing is right now. Not getting any younger.
“I’d love to see him go for it here over the next year. If he wants to fight one of these boxing guys, do that next year.
“That fight’s always going to be there.”

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CONOR McGREGOR would be given the green light to fight for a world title in BOXING as long as he defeats a ranked WBC contender.
McGregor made his lucrative ring debut in 2017, losing to Floyd Mayweather in ten rounds

Conor McGregor during his boxing debut with Floyd Mayweather Credit: Rex Features

Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor pictured in 2017 next to the WBC’s ‘Money’ belt Credit: AP:Associated Press

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The WBC helped sanction the crossover spectacle, even putting up a ‘Money’ belt for the occasion.
But with McGregor last year revealing that he envisions winning a title for real in boxing, he has been handed hope of achieving his audacious goal.
All the Irishman has to do is claim a victory over a contender rated in the top 15 by the WBC, as the sanctioning body will take into account his prior accolades in the UFC.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman told SunSport: “I would say, he needs to face and defeat a ranked fighter, then he would be eligible to be ranked and to compete for a title.
“Because, we have plenty of examples of Muay Thai fighters, who turn professional in international boxing, and they are eligible to fight for the title.
“We also have amateur superstars like Vasiliy Lomachenko, they come into professional boxing and fight for the title and it’s proven it works.”
Masterful Ukrainian Lomachenko – who left the amateurs with a 396-1 record – won the WBO belt in only his second pro bout.

And the WBC have a long history of Thai Boxing champions switching over to the sweet science with great success, like Samart Payakaroon who reigned in both sports.

Conor McGregor revealed he wants to win a world title in boxing

Conor McGregor sparring ahead of his UFC return

With McGregor’s history as the UFC’s top attraction, as well as 19 knockouts in his 22 wins, the southpaw would be equally entitled to a shot at the famous green and gold WBC belt.
Sulaiman said: “If he is to start boxing and proves with victories in boxing then he should certainly be given the opportunity to fight for a world title.
“We, in the WBC, consider the amateur career as one of the criteria for rankings.
“And, for example Muay Thai, in Thailand, we consider that career also when they enter into boxing.
“So, Conor has a mixed martial arts resume, so if he comes into boxing and wins a fight against a ranked fighter, he would be eligible to be ranked.
“This is not a rookie entering the sport, he has a long history of combat sports, so it’s a different scenario of what it used to be in the past.”
McGregor, 32, won early rounds against Mayweather, 43, before tiring as the 50-0 icon took over down the stretch.

Conor McGregor was beaten in ten rounds by Floyd Mayweather Credit: Getty Images – Getty

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman with Floyd Mayweather Credit: Reuters
Despite defeat, it has not stopped him from calling for a rematch, and even entering talks to face Manny Pacquiao, 42, in the future.
For now, though, McGregor is focussing on his octagon return, as he rematches Dustin Poirier, 31, on January 23.
But Sulaiman believes the former two-weight UFC champion has the tools necessary to reach the pinnacle of boxing – but has to prove it against a worthy contender first.
He said: “What we saw with Mayweather was of course different with the times, the rounds, it is not the same to fight five rounds to then go 12 rounds.
“But he has ability, he has power, he has status as a fighter.
“But, to compete and become a world champion in the WBC, he would need to fight in boxing and by merit be ranked. Then, he would be in the position to challenge.
“I don’t know what weight category he would be, but definitely he would need to get a decisive win against a quality opponent to be considered to be ranked.”

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CONOR McGREGOR would be given the green light to fight for a world title in BOXING as long as he defeats a ranked WBC contender.
McGregor made his lucrative ring debut in 2017, losing to Floyd Mayweather in ten rounds

Conor McGregor during his boxing debut with Floyd Mayweather Credit: Rex Features

Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor pictured in 2017 next to the WBC’s ‘Money’ belt Credit: AP:Associated Press

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The WBC helped sanction the crossover spectacle, even putting up a ‘Money’ belt for the occasion.
But with McGregor last year revealing that he envisions winning a title for real in boxing, he has been handed hope of achieving his audacious goal.
All the Irishman has to do is claim a victory over a contender rated in the top 15 by the WBC, as the sanctioning body will take into account his prior accolades in the UFC.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman told SunSport: “I would say, he needs to face and defeat a ranked fighter, then he would be eligible to be ranked and to compete for a title.
“Because, we have plenty of examples of Muay Thai fighters, who turn professional in international boxing, and they are eligible to fight for the title.
“We also have amateur superstars like Vasiliy Lomachenko, they come into professional boxing and fight for the title and it’s proven it works.”
Masterful Ukrainian Lomachenko – who left the amateurs with a 396-1 record – won the WBO belt in only his second pro bout.

And the WBC have a long history of Thai Boxing champions switching over to the sweet science with great success, like Samart Payakaroon who reigned in both sports.

Conor McGregor revealed he wants to win a world title in boxing

Conor McGregor sparring ahead of his UFC return

With McGregor’s history as the UFC’s top attraction, as well as 19 knockouts in his 22 wins, the southpaw would be equally entitled to a shot at the famous green and gold WBC belt.
Sulaiman said: “If he is to start boxing and proves with victories in boxing then he should certainly be given the opportunity to fight for a world title.
“We, in the WBC, consider the amateur career as one of the criteria for rankings.
“And, for example Muay Thai, in Thailand, we consider that career also when they enter into boxing.
“So, Conor has a mixed martial arts resume, so if he comes into boxing and wins a fight against a ranked fighter, he would be eligible to be ranked.
“This is not a rookie entering the sport, he has a long history of combat sports, so it’s a different scenario of what it used to be in the past.”
McGregor, 32, won early rounds against Mayweather, 43, before tiring as the 50-0 icon took over down the stretch.

Conor McGregor was beaten in ten rounds by Floyd Mayweather Credit: Getty Images – Getty

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman with Floyd Mayweather Credit: Reuters
Despite defeat, it has not stopped him from calling for a rematch, and even entering talks to face Manny Pacquiao, 42, in the future.
For now, though, McGregor is focussing on his octagon return, as he rematches Dustin Poirier, 31, on January 23.
But Sulaiman believes the former two-weight UFC champion has the tools necessary to reach the pinnacle of boxing – but has to prove it against a worthy contender first.
He said: “What we saw with Mayweather was of course different with the times, the rounds, it is not the same to fight five rounds to then go 12 rounds.
“But he has ability, he has power, he has status as a fighter.
“But, to compete and become a world champion in the WBC, he would need to fight in boxing and by merit be ranked. Then, he would be in the position to challenge.
“I don’t know what weight category he would be, but definitely he would need to get a decisive win against a quality opponent to be considered to be ranked.”

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CONOR McGREGOR’S manager said Floyd Mayweather ‘knows he would lose’ against the UFC star and Manny Pacquiao so will avoid a rematch.
Mayweather finally ended five years worth of talking in 2015 as he outpointed Pacquiao in the most lucrative fight of all time.

Floyd Mayweather beat UFC star Conor McGregor in 2017 Credit: AFP or licensors

Manny Pacquiao was beaten by Floyd Mayweather in 2015 Credit: AFP – Getty

He then fought McGregor two years later and after winning in ten rounds announced his retirement.
Despite hanging up the gloves, Mayweather returned in 2018 for an exhibition in Tokyo, and wiped out featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in one round.
And he faces YouTuber Logan Paul in February, in his most daring pay-per-view spectacle of all.
Audi Attar – who manages McGregor and Pacquiao – poked fun at Mayweather’s mismatch with Paul and claimed the 50-0 legend will swerve his superstar clients.

Attar told  Dubai Eye 103.8 Sport: “I do believe Conor vs Floyd again, he beats him. I don’t think Floyd ever takes it.
“Floyd’s taking YouTubers for a paycheck right now. Floyd could take Manny Pacquiao in a rematch, you don’t see him taking that fight.
“Floyd could take Conor McGregor for a rematch, you don’t see him taking that fight.

Conor McGregor with manager Audi Attar Credit: Instagram @audieattar

Audi Attar pictured with Manny Pacquiao

“But he’ll take a Logan Paul. He’ll take the young Japanese fighter he fought previously.

“I think that’s what he’s going to do, Floyd knows he would lose if he took on either Manny Pacquiao or Conor McGregor.”
McGregor, 32, made his boxing debut against Mayweather, 43, and since defeat has called for a rematch.
But his return to the ring will likely be against Pacquiao, 42, after their manager Attar confirmed the pair are on course to box this year.
He said: “I definitely believe it’s inevitable for 2021. Both fighters want it, that’s the key.
“You can’t make something happen or orchestrate it or choreograph it – which is the buzzword of this interview – you can’t fake that.
“If one side wants it and the other doesn’t, it’s not going to happen. But when both fighters want that fight to happen, why wouldn’t it happen?
“If the fans want to see it – that almost guarantees that it’s going to happen, right? As there’s enough interest to develop something there.”

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CONOR McGREGOR boxing Manny Pacquiao in 2021 is ‘inevitable’ with the Irishman planning fight the Filipino legend after Dustin Poirier, according to the duo’s manager.
McGregor makes his return to action on January 23, in a rematch with Poirier, who he beat in 2014.

Manny Pacquiao could fight Conor McGregor in 2021 Credit: AP:Associated Press

Conor McGregor and Manny Pacquiao both have the same management Credit: Rex Features

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But before his UFC comeback was confirmed, the Irishman was in talks to face Pacquiao.
Those plans will now be on ice until after UFC 257 on Fight Island, but manager Audi Attar, who represents both men, is confident the superstars will be in the ring with each other this year.
Attar told Dubai Eye 103.8 Sport: “I definitely believe it’s inevitable for 2021.

“Both fighters want it, that’s the key.
“You can’t make something happen or orchestrate it or choreograph it – which is the buzzword of this interview – you can’t fake that.
“If one side wants it and the other doesn’t, it’s not going to happen. But when both fighters want that fight to happen, why wouldn’t it happen?
“If the fans want to see it – that almost guarantees that it’s going to happen, right? As there’s enough interest to develop something there.”

McGregor, 32, announced via Twitter in September that he would be boxing Pacquiao, 42, in his next bout.

Audi Attar pictured with Manny Pacquiao

But after the UFC approached him to instead return to the cage and for a second fight with Poirier, 31, he turned his attention to MMA once more.
Now, McGregor has the intention of resuming talks with eight-division champion PacMan once his business on Fight Island is completed.
Attar said: “The UFC said, ‘Alright, let’s do that rematch’. We said, ‘OK, well let’s do that rematch first then, but then Manny will be the next fight’.
“And that’s what both fighters want. So, that’s the plan.
“We’ve been having amazing conversation with stakeholders across the world, including the Middle East.
“We’ll see where it goes. I’d be shocked if it didn’t happen in 2021.”

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