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Tag: Conor McGregor

  • Helwani Believes McGregor vs. Paul Is “Inching” Slowly Towards Fruition

    Renowned MMA journalist Ariel Helwani thinks that while we’re still a wide distance from the goal line, the ball for a potential Conor McGregor vs. Jake Paul fight is now in play.

    Jake Paul has wanted a fight against Conor McGregor seemingly ever since he entered the world of professional boxing two years ago. Whenever speaking of his dream opponents, McGregor’s name has never been far from his lips.

    The same can’t be said about the other side, though. Not only has McGregor never expressed interest in fighting Paul, but he’s always ignored him whenever smack talk from the YouTuber was tossed in his direction.

    Part of that equation changed recently when McGregor finally responded to Paul after the 5-0 boxer criticized his boxing technique. Though the Irishman didn’t say much—one word to be exact—that word (“jackass”) along with some interpretable thawing on the Dana White front has Ariel Helwani believing that a McGregor/Paul fight could eventually happen.

    “I maintain that Dana likes Jake Paul. I maintain that Dana would want to do business with Jake Paul,” Helwani began on his program The MMA Hour. “I maintain that we are closer than ever—this is how the Mayweather thing started—to this fight actually happening. Now does it ultimately happen? No, but I believe it is more of a thing than it was six, eight months ago. 

    Jake Paul
    Credit: Complex

    “Conor responding to the tweet, Dana talking about it, not closing the door, talking weight and all this stuff—this would be the biggest fight in combat that can be made right now. It would do well over two million buys. And you can just see the interest building. You can see the wheels turning. You can see people starting to warm up to it, the important people. So again, I’m not saying it’s happening; it’s not happening. I’m just saying we continue to inch closer to it happening—inch closer, inch closer, appearance here, a question there, an answer there, an open door here.”

    Dana White has always maintained that he has no interest in doing business with Jake Paul. However, to Helwani’s point, White recently only questioned if Paul could make it down to 170 to fight McGregor as opposed to outright shutting the door in the YouTuber’s face per usual.

    But what’s most telling to Helwani is the subtle yet noticeable change in behavior from The Notorious One.

    “And then to me, the biggest thing was Conor directly responding. Because in the past, he always ignored, interviews—always deflected. A back-to-back MMA/boxing would be just gigantic. Will the UFC be willing to pay Jake Paul what he’s making in boxing? I mean, they could afford it. Do they want to set that precedent? I don’t know…If everyone puts their ego aside, there’s just a gigantic amount of money to be made.

    Jake Paul Conor McGregor
    Image Credit: Jake Paul’s Instagram

    “Now we do dismiss the size. Jake fights at around 190. Conor just barely makes 170. That’s significant. It’s really significant. But I just feel like we are closer than ever. Now when I say ‘closer than ever,’ do I mean we’re on the goal line? No. We might be on the five-yard line as opposed to being in the end zone just starting off. But I feel like there’s something happening here. That’s all I’ll say. I feel like we are inching, inching, inching, ‘inching—inching’ being the operative word—ever so slowly.”

    The last time the fight was proposed by Paul, it was for a UFC fight against McGregor. If Paul won, White would agree to Paul’s list of terms geared towards improving UFC fighter pay and benefits. If McGregor won, Paul would donate his entire fight purse to UFC fighters making less than $50,000 per fight and never speak of the UFC again.

    It bears noting that Helwani is merely speculating and not reporting any actual talks for a McGregor/Paul bout taking place. However, if this far-fetched pairing actually does materialize, you’ll most certainly get the scoop right here on MMANews.com.

    What do you think are the chances we’ll see Conor McGregor and Jake Paul fight in any capacity? 

  • Update Provided On Civil Case Against Conor McGregor

    A pre-trial evidence discovery order was granted on Monday in the civil case involving Conor McGregor and an alleged rape victim in Ireland.

    The plaintiff, an unnamed woman, is in the process of suing McGregor for personal injuries after an alleged sexual assault took place at McGregor’s penthouse suite in 2018. McGregor has denied all accusations against him and he was not criminally charged after the alleged incident.

    The granted discovery of documents and other materials such as CCTV footage could be used by her legal team to prove her claim that McGregor sexually assaulted her.

    McGregor and an unidentified associate are being sued by the victim in the civil case. The victim has alleged that she and McGregor grew up together in the same neighborhood and had exchanged “flirtatious” direct messages on social media before the encounter.

    The discovery process of the civil case is expected to be completed within the next 10 weeks.

    On December 9, 2018, the victim and the unidentified friend were sent a vehicle by McGregor back to his suite. After allegedly taking cocaine in the vehicle, the victim and McGregor’s friend entered the suite when McGregor then allegedly attempted to force a sexual act.

    The woman has also alleged that McGregor’s friend sexually assaulted her the following day. She was rushed to a hospital by her mother after returning home and treated for bruising and sexual assault. Local police opted not to press charges against McGregor and his associate.

    McGregor is in the process of planning his UFC comeback in 2022 and has teased a return at welterweight against Kamaru Usman. He has recently downplayed the idea of a return to 155 pounds following his leg break against Dustin Poirier in their UFC 264 trilogy last year.

    MMA News will continue to bring you the latest on this developing story.

  • McGregor Has Had Enough With The “Disrespect” For His Title Plans

    Conor McGregor has had enough of what he deems to be “disrespect” placed on his name.

    Conor McGregor has made his plans of returning to a world title shot known since late last year. And since that same time, he and the rest of the MMA world have been hearing complaints about this bold proclamation.

    For Dana White’s part, he has called those who are bothered by the possibility of McGregor landing an immediate title shot upon his return to be “idiots.” As for McGregor himself, he’s simply done being dismissed and ‘disrespected.’

    “Enough is enough with the disrespect that comes my way, you know what I mean?” McGregor told TheMacLife about criticisms of him potentially receiving a title shot in 2022. “People are gonna give me my respect for the many facets of my game—my fighting style and everything else. I’m gonna waltz back into a title shot, make no mistake about it.”

    McGregor had initially targeted Charles Oliveira for a title shot when he billi struts back into the Octagon later this year. However, last week, he redirected his gaze to the direction of UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman.

    Kamaru Usman
    Kamaru Usman, Photo Credit: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

    Usman doesn’t appear to be taking McGregor’s ambitions very seriously, however. Thus far, all his attention has been focused on an anticipated bout against Leon Edwards this summer followed by, in a perfect world, a crack at boxing great Canelo Álvarez.

    Conor McGregor has already won world championships in two different weight classes, becoming the first to do so simultaneously after he knocked out Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205.

    In the MacLife interview, McGregor voiced his confidence in being able to be the first fighter to win a world title in three divisions by taking out Usman. The Irishman believes this shouldn’t be too difficult an undertaking due to Usman having a “sloppy” and “jab-happy” striking style accompanied by grappling devoid of any dangerous ground-and-pound.

    What do you think? Are those who scoff at Conor McGregor returning to a title shot disrespecting him?

  • Archives: McGregor Involved In Bar Fight With Brazilian Fan? (2015)

    Yesterday, we ran a story of Conor McGregor singing the praises of old rival José Aldo in defense of his former rival against those who have ‘forgotten’ him. On this day seven years ago, however, their feud was at peak levels.

    In fact, if taken seriously, McGregor was even feuding with some random countrymen of Aldo, including in an alleged pub brawl that predated the infamous pub punch that McGregor was charged for four years later.

    The following article is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives.

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MARCH 20, 2015, 12:47 PM]

    At the UFC 189 “World Tour” press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Friday, an interesting exchange took place between Conor McGregor and a Brazilian fan.

    During the fan portion of the question-and-answer session, one fan, in particular, claimed that he got punched by McGregor at a “pub” on Thursday night. He continued by taunting McGregor, saying “he’s still here.”

    McGregor responded, “you cried like a bitch, I remember you!”

    Whether or not this was a fan joking around and McGregor simply went along with it, remains to be seen, but McGregor and UFC President Dana White, both of whom, along with UFC Featherweight Champion José Aldo, were all in attendance to promote their UFC 189 main event, sure had big smiles on their face.

    For those who missed it, you can watch the first stop in the UFC 189 “World Tour” press conference below.

    Headlined by the UFC Featherweight Championship bout between Aldo and McGregor, with a co-main event of Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald for the UFC Welterweight Championship, UFC 189 takes place on Saturday, July 11th in Las Vegas, Nevada.

  • McGregor: The Fight Game Has Become “Very Forgetful” Of José Aldo

    Former UFC double champion Conor McGregor thinks fans need to give veterans like José Aldo more credit and not forget their prowess.

    McGregor and Aldo have come a long way since their heated buildup to their featherweight title fight at UFC 194. The two former featherweight champions were once as hostile as it gets with one another but have become cordial in recent years.

    Aldo has experienced a new chapter in his MMA career down at bantamweight with recent impressive wins over Marlon Vera, Pedro Munhoz, and Rob Font at 135 pounds. He could be on the verge of another bantamweight title shot despite having lost to Petr Yan for the then-vacant belt at UFC 251.

    McGregor is hoping for a bounceback of his own later this year in his Octagon return. He’s targeting a welterweight title shot against Kamaru Usman for his next fight if Usman can successfully defend his belt against Leon Edwards.

    Like Aldo, some have downplayed the idea that McGregor can still compete for UFC championships. During a recent interview with TheMacLife, McGregor praised Aldo for his recent successes despite some writing him off in the past.

    “The game is very forgetful…” McGregor said. “The disrespect Aldo received, for example, and people saying people are done. If you look at Glover Teixeira, who’s now a UFC champion, it’s important to just block out that noise because it’s dribble. It’s never what it is, and I’m very happy for José and seeing what he’s been doing, and I look forward to having the exact same thing myself.”

    McGregor lost back-to-back fights to Dustin Poirier in 2021 via stoppages, with the latest coming after he suffered a horrific leg break at UFC 264. He’s looking to recapture the magic he sustained after becoming a two-division UFC champion with wins over Aldo and Eddie Alvarez.

    Aldo has hinted at a potential matchup with TJ Dillashaw for his next UFC outing, although it’s unclear when Dillashaw will return from his knee injury. McGregor and Aldo were once the bitterest of rivals inside the Octagon, but have appeared to squash their beef as both look to reclaim UFC gold.

    Do you agree with Conor McGregor regarding José Aldo?

  • Usman Appears To React To McGregor Targeting Him For UFC Return

    UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman has appeared to mock Conor McGregor’s recent comments that he’s eying a showdown with him.

    Usman is certain to face Leon Edwards next for his latest UFC welterweight title defense. UFC President Dana White has also confirmed that the Usman vs. Edwards rematch will take place later this year, with an official announcement appearing imminent.

    McGregor is planning his Octagon return after nearly a year away recovering from a nasty leg break he suffered at UFC 264. He’s hinted at a move to welterweight for his next fight and has appeared to rule out a move back to lightweight.

    McGregor is targeting a fight with Usman next and has called it the “fight to make at 170 pounds. He hasn’t fought at welterweight since he defeated Donald Cerrone at UFC 246.

    After getting word of McGregor’s plans, Usman appeared to mock the idea of a McGregor title shot on social media.

    “You guys want a murder scene in the octagon”

    “He said he’s gonna do what????” Usman tweeted.

    This isn’t the first time that Usman and McGregor have gone at it from afar. Usman has previously expressed interest in a fight with McGregor and predicted that he would earn a finish. McGregor has also accused Usman of stealing his material amidst a potential boxing match with Canelo Alvarez.

    McGregor has hinted at a title shot for his UFC return, and a fight with Usman could happen with White not ruling out McGregor getting another shot at gold next. In the meantime, Usman will look to keep his place atop the UFC’s pound-for-pound list after a flawless 2021.

    Do you think Kamaru Usman vs. Conor McGregor will happen this year?

  • McGregor Doesn’t See Himself Fighting At LW Again, Wants Usman Next

    Conor McGregor maintains that he is still expecting a title shot upon his return to the UFC Octagon, but he says it won’t be in the lightweight division.

    In fact, the former UFC lightweight champion says that he doesn’t expect to ever compete at 155 lbs. again. Those who have been keeping track of McGregor’s bulking-up efforts in recent months may not be surprised by this bombshell, but others, such as reigning champion Charles Oliveira, were expecting the Irishman to pursue a title shot at lightweight when he returns from his leg injury later this year.

    In an interview with TheMacLife, McGregor revealed that isn’t the case and that he doesn’t expect to compete at lightweight ever again.

    “I just don’t really see myself coming back to 155 again,” McGregor said. I’m eating, I’m lifting, I’m training, and I’m not cutting calories. So this is my natural state. I can go even bigger.”

    McGregor pointed to a pair of past performances at 170 as further support for his comfort level in making the welterweight division his new home.

    Conor McGregor vs Donald Cerrone LIVE reaction, post-fight press conference updates and more after Notorious defeats Cowboy at UFC 246 - Irish Mirror Online
    Conor McGregor vs. Donald Cerrone, UFC 246

    “I like myself at 170. I’ve always had a great time when I’ve had a full camp at 170—with correct preparation: the Diaz 2 rematch and the [Donald Cerrone] fight in particular…They were probably some of my best performances inside the UFC Octagon and without any calorie deficiency whatsoever,” McGregor said.

    McGregor is 2-1 in the welterweight division, with the aforementioned victories over Diaz at UFC 202 and Cerrone at UFC 246 being his last two outings at 170. To McGregor’s point, his bout against Diaz won Fight of the Night and his demolition of Cerrone earned him Performance of the Night.

    For his next welterweight walk to the Octagon, McGregor has set his sights on the very top of the division.

    McGregor: Me vs. Usman Is The Fight To Make

    Kamaru Usman Conor McGregor
    Kamaru Usman, Conor McGregor (Image Credits: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC & Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

    One thing McGregor has not walked back on at all is his insistence on returning to a title shot. Though it was originally believed to be Charles Oliveira who the Irishman preferred as his comeback opponent, as it turns out, it’s actually current UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman.

    McGregor and Usman have exchanged words over social media in the past, with McGregor accusing Usman of habitually stealing his material. “The Notorious” would again reference the Nigerian-American’s alleged creative infringement while also saying in no uncertain terms that he is who the former champ-champ wants next.

    “It is what it is. What do they say? Imitation and flattery and all this type of thing,” McGregor said of Usman’s verbal repertoire. “I don’t know. But I believe that’s the fight to make.

    “I believe myself vs. Usman for the 170-pound title for my comeback fight is the one I’m eyeballing at the minute.”

    Kamaru Usman is expected to defend his title against Leon Edwards this summer after he has finished healing from recent hand surgery. He has also been pounding the pavement lobbying for a boxing match against superstar Canelo Álvarez.

    That said, Usman has also expressed interest in a fight against McGregor multiple times in the past. And it goes without saying that a fight against McGregor would be more than lucrative enough to steer Usman’s gaze away from the boxing ring and into the Irishman’s direction once he becomes privy to these latest comments from The Notorious One.

    Do you want to see Conor McGregor return to face Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight championship?

  • Pimblett: I Don’t Understand How People Can Put Down Conor McGregor

    Rising UFC lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett believes former two-division champion Conor McGregor deserves more respect for what he’s achieved in the sport of MMA.

    Pimblett is the latest fighter from across the Atlantic labeled the ‘next McGregor’. Through his entertaining fighting style, previous Cage Warriors championship success, and outspoken personality, many expect “The Baddy,” who made a successful UFC debut last September, to follow in the Irishman’s footsteps.

    Last November, Pimblett even got the nod of approval from the man himself. In a now-deleted tweet, McGregor admitted his excitement at the Liverpool native’s potential.

    “Very excited to see what he can do. A great representation for the UK and for Liverpool. Rooting for him!”

    Ahead of his latest appearance inside the Octagon, Pimblett has returned the favor by speaking incredibly highly of the UFC’s first simultaneous double champ.

    Pimblett Returns The Favor With McGregor Compliment

    Despite his accomplishments in MMA’s premier promotion, which includes title glory at both featherweight and lightweight, and wins over names like Dustin Poirier, Nate Diaz, Chad Mendes, Max Holloway, and José Aldo, McGregor’s achievements are often pushed behind his famed trash talk, outside-the-cage antics, and current losing skid in discussions.

    For Pimblett, that needs to change. During a recent interview with Combat Sports UK, “The Baddy” asserted that McGregor deserves more respect for changing the game in MMA, both in terms of ability and wealth.

    “He changed the game, simple as that. He’s changed the game for when it comes to fighter pay and stuff like that,” claimed Pimblett. “I don’t understand how people can put him down. He’s the first double champ. People need to put more respect on his name. Man, it’s easy to kick someone when he’s down but when he was at his highest, he was taking the sport to levels we’ve never seen.” (h/t Sportskeeda)

    While he’s not necessarily targeting the same level as McGregor, Pimblett is hoping to rise up the lightweight ladder and reach stardom, something he believes he’s always been destined to achieve.

    To continue that pursuit, he’ll have to get past Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas in his sophomore Octagon outing this weekend at UFC London.

    If he manages to secure a win in front of his home crowd, he’ll certainly increase the attention around his name and perhaps even prove that an Anfield headliner isn’t too far away…

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbIRLrSuhE0/

    Do you think Paddy Pimblett can get close to reaching the heights Conor McGregor has in the UFC?

  • Sonnen: Volkanovski Validated McGregor’s Return To The Title Picture

    Chael Sonnen has suggested reigning UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski has validated an immediate return to title contention for Conor McGregor.

    McGregor hasn’t been in action since suffering a brutal leg break at UFC 264 last July. The injury, which resulted in a TKO loss, marked his second defeat to Dustin Poirier in 2021 and his third setback in four appearances.

    Despite that, as the Irishman edges closer towards a much-anticipated return, it’s appearing more and more likely that we may see the former two-division UFC champion competing for gold in his first fight back.

    That discussion picked up when UFC President Dana White slammed those criticizing the idea of a McGregor title shot and announced the promotion’s intention to re-book the Islam Makhachev vs. Beneil Dariush bout. According to many, including Joe Rogan, that announcement has left the door open for the Dublin native to return to the championship picture later this year.

    In a recent exclusive interview with MMA News, 145-pound king Volkanovski discussed McGregor, labeling him a dream opponent, not only due to his stardom and the money involved but for his quest to best every former featherweight champ.

    “Obviously, Conor’s always gonna get his name out there,” Volkanovski said. “You’ve gotta remember, he was a featherweight, he was a champion of my division. So, I’ve taken out the featherweight champs, so to take out, the only one left, isn’t he? Yeah, it’s just Conor. There was me, (José) Aldo, Max (Holloway), and Conor. So it makes a lot of sense. Obviously, it would be a dream. And then I’ve taken out all the other champs in my division. So that would be incredible.”

    While at first glance, the remarks perhaps appear harmless and to simply be a casual comment on a dream matchup, former middleweight and light heavyweight UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen has suggested Volkanovski’s words could mean a lot in the context of McGregor’s return.

    Sonnen Suggests Volkanovski Co-Signed A McGregor Title Shot

    In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sonnen discussed Volkanovski’s comments. He claimed that the Australian had, whether by intention or not, provided validation for a potential McGregor title shot.

    “There is an ongoing conversation of should Conor McGregor be able to return off of a loss, off of a previous loss, off of an injury, and fight for a world championship,” said Sonnen. “There seems to be a very meaningful discussion, which got supported when Islam Makhachev got re-booked against Dariush.

    “Many people are pushing back on it, saying Conor should not be able to come off a loss into a world championship fight… It doesn’t sound like Volkanovski agrees with you,” noted Sonnen. “Volkanovski, whether he meant to or not, just gave validation, as a sitting champion of the world, that Conor McGregor can, in fact, come right back into a world title fight.”

    Conor McGregor
    Conor McGregor (Photo: Sportsfile)

    Sonnen did, however, acknowledge Volkanovski’s words came from his own desire to meet McGregor, which, at featherweight at least, is unlikely. Nevertheless, the 44-year-old claimed that the Aussie’s quote, given his place at the champions’ table, means something, regardless of which title conversation McGregor is in.

    “Volkanovski, of course, was personalizing and talking about him(self), and I don’t think Conor’s gonna be making featherweight any time soon,” admitted Sonnen. “But set that aside, you now have a world champion, whether he intended to or not, that just co-signed the statement that Conor McGregor qualifies for a world title fight upon his return. One world champion, one sitting and reigning world champion, has got to speak for how many of us? What’s his opinion worth? He’s got skin in the game. He’s got credibility.

    “You’ve now got somebody with a seat at the head table, who is saying that Conor should qualify based on his laurels, based on the success that he has had before. I don’t disagree with that, I don’t disagree with that at all,” Sonnen concluded.

    Do you agree with Chael Sonnen? Did Alexander Volkanovski’s comments validate a title shot for Conor McGregor?

  • White Explains Why McGregor/Paul Is An Unrealistic Fight, Paul Responds

    In among his first comments addressing Jake Paul since vowing to never speak of him again, UFC President Dana White has explained why a fight between Conor McGregor and the YouTuber is “probably not” going to happen.

    So far in his 5-0 boxing career, Paul has knocked out two former UFC welterweights, one of which held gold on MMA’s biggest stage between 2016 and 2019. But while his MMA foes have, to date, been retired or released following a losing skid, “The Problem Child” has often set his sights on bigger fish.

    As opponents have changed, rivalries developed, and his influence in combat sports has grown, one thing has remained a constant in Paul’s career: callouts to “The Notorious” McGregor.

    Paul’s interest and mentions of a potential clash are seemingly increasing with every step closer to a return the Irishman makes. The former two-division champion has been out of action since breaking his leg last July.

    One man who will need to give the go-ahead should the YouTuber-turned-boxer throw down with McGregor is Dana White. While the UFC President has previously co-promoted a crossover fight involving McGregor, he recently provided a negative assessment of the chances of Paul getting his wish down the line.

    White Not “Completely Closed Off” To Paul vs. McGregor

    Unsurprisingly, the topic came up during an appearance White made on the Impaulsive podcast, hosted by Jake’s brother, Logan Paul.

    When asked if he could see a McGregor vs. Paul event in the future, White suggested that while he won’t shut the door on anything, it’s unlikely.

    “Probably not (happening), no. I’m never completely closed off to anything. I used to say that about things, but I don’t say that anymore. Cause you never know, you never know what could happen,” said White.

    The crossover market has grown exponentially in recent years, with Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, Vitor Belfort, and Frank Mir all representing former UFC stars who have dipped their toes into the boxing ring.

    Despite helping start the trend with the 2017 ‘Money Fight’ between McGregor and Floyd Mayweather, as well as bringing some notable professional wrestling stars to the Octagon, White says UFC bookings involving internet stars like the Pauls goes against his promotion’s main goal: pitting the best against the best.

    “Everything we do kills the bottom. I mean, we have the most successful combat sports business of all time. What we do here is completely different than what him (Logan Paul) and his brother are doing,” claimed White. “I’m looking for the absolute best in the world. These guys who have trained their whole lives, they fight at these smaller shows, and then they make it to the UFC, and we put the best against the best.

    Breaking Down Why Brock Lesnar vs. CM Punk Was Match of the Year | Bleacher Report | Latest News, Videos and Highlights
    CM Punk, Brock Lesnar

    “It’s just not what you do. There’s a market for what you guys do and there’s money to be made in it. I’m not saying that I don’t do those types of thing,” White continued. “I brought Brock (Lesnar) in. But Brock won the heavyweight championship. I brought CM Punk in, that one didn’t work out as well as Brock [LAUGHS]. It’s not like I don’t try to do these—the Floyd/Conor fight, you know? The fans wanted to see it; everybody wanted to see it. That’s why it took on a life of its own. Floyd and I got together and figured it out, it made sense, and we did it.”

    Even if that level of interest was there for a McGregor vs. Paul bout, White explained why the pair’s size difference would make it an unrealistic matchup.

    “Well, he shouldn’t even be fighting Conor McGregor. These guys (Pauls) are fucking huge, he’s (Jake) fucking huge. What’s your brother, 6’1″? 210 (pounds)? Conor McGregor’s 155 pounds… There’s weight classes for a reason.”

    Paul Responds To White’s Comments On McGregor Fight

    White also went on to suggest that even fighting at welterweight is a stretch for McGregor, something Paul later disputed on Twitter. He called for a fight with the Dublin native at 175 pounds.

    Interestingly, during his conversation with White, Logan suggested his brother couldn’t make 170 pounds to meet McGregor for a welterweight bout. With that in mind, 175 would perhaps be a stretch for “The Problem Child,” who weighed in for his rematch with Woodley at 191.6 pounds.

    How do you think a fight between Conor McGregor and Jake Paul would play out?

  • Conor McGregor Sends Donation To Couple Hurt In Pedestrian-Car Crash

    Conor McGregor has earned loads of money over his illustrious career, and he recently donated to help a couple suffering from a recent accident.

    Mick and Michelle Cardiff were out for a leisurely walk when a car involved in an accident swerved off the road and hit both of them. Mick underwent a leg amputation while Michelle has undergone a slew of surgeries stemming from the accident near Dublin, IE.

    As has become increasingly more common in recent years, friends and family of the Cardiff’s made a GoFundMe page to help with the medical expenses. The goal of €40,000 was surpassed after McGregor covered half of the desired fund with a €20,000 donation.

    Michelle & Mick Cardiff

    This isn’t the first time that McGregor has used his large fortune to help those less financially capable. Last December, he donated $11,000 to help support a Bellator MMA fighter who was paralyzed from a training accident last summer.

    Before that, McGregor helped an Irish woman with a €10,000 donation during her battle with breast cancer. The 35-year-old Gemma Devoy has recently begun chemotherapy, largely due to McGregor’s generosity.

    McGregor was named to the Forbes’ highest-earning athlete of 2021, despite competing just twice last year in back-to-back losses to Dustin Poirier. He’s currently working towards a return to the UFC Octagon later this year, potentially as soon as this summer.

    Do you believe Conor McGregor does not get enough recognition for his charitable donations?

  • Volkanovski On Dream McGregor Clash: “I’d Fight Him At Any Weight”

    UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is eying a matchup with Conor McGregor before he eventually calls it quits.

    Volkanovski is set to make his next featherweight title defense against Chan Sung Jung (otherwise known as ‘The Korean Zombie’) in the upcoming UFC 273 headliner. He’s coming off of a largely dominant win over Brian Ortega at UFC 266.

    Volkanovski was supposed to face Max Holloway next before Holloway pulled out with an injury. Jung is the next man up, but a fight with McGregor remains on the 145-pound champion’s mind.

    In an exclusive interview with MMA News’ James Lynch, Volkanovski spoke about what the effect would be of a McGregor fight for his legacy.

    “Obviously, Conor’s always gonna get his name out there,” Volkanovski said. “You’ve gotta remember, he was a featherweight, he was a champion of my division. So, I’ve taken out the featherweight champs, so to take out, the only one left, isn’t he? Yeah, it’s just Conor. There was me, Aldo, Max, and Conor. So it makes a lot of sense. Obviously, it would be a dream. And then I’ve taken out all the other champs in my division. So that would be incredible.

    Conor McGregor
    Conor McGregor (Photo: Sportsfile)

    “You talk about the payday and the circus around it would be great, but at the same time, when you talk about legacy that’s definitely—and he’s undefeated at featherweight, too. So that’d mean something.”

    McGregor hasn’t competed at featherweight since he won the unified title over José Aldo at UFC 194. He went on to fight at welterweight and lightweight, eventually earning the 155-pound title over Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205.

    Volkanovski fought at welterweight and lightweight to begin his professional career on the Australian regional scene, but a majority of his career has been at featherweight. Volkanovski went on to allude to the flexibility when it comes to the weight class that a McGregor fight would be competed at.

    “I don’t think he’s making featherweight anytime soon [LAUGHS]. Obviously, with that fight, you’d do it at any weight. I’d do that at welterweight if I had to, whatever. We’ll see. I’ll just worry about Zombie, cause Zombie’s in front of me, and we’ll see. You might get some drunk tweets from Conor again and maybe we can ride off that, see what happens from there… 100% I would (fight McGregor at welterweight). I’d fight him at any weight.”

    Volkanovski earned the featherweight title over Holloway at UFC 245, before winning a controversial split decision in an immediate rematch at UFC 251. He’s arguably one of the greatest featherweights in UFC history and continues to climb the ranks in the all-time great discussion.

    McGregor is targeting a return to the Octagon later this year after a nasty leg break at UFC 264. It’s unclear what weight McGregor will fight at for his return, but a fight with Volkanovski may not be out of the cards as soon as this year.

    You can view MMA News’ full interview with Alexander Volkanovski below!

    Do you think we’ll ever see Alexander Volkanovski vs. Conor McGregor?

  • Jake Paul Taunts McGregor In Spoof-Like Response To “Jackass” Diss

    Jake Paul has issued a spoof-like response to Conor McGregor calling him a “jackass.”

    Jake Paul finally got Conor McGregor to respond to him and he is soaking it all up with sand wrestling, another MMA tease, and playful taunting.

    After countless callouts, a mention in a rap diss track, and even a custom-made “Sleepy McGregor” necklace, all it really took for Jake Paul to get Conor McGregor’s attention was to criticize his boxing technique.

    After Paul insisted that McGregor’s form in a training video was “embarrassing,” McGregor responded with a lighthearted jab at Paul, dubbing the YouTuber a “jackass.”

    Paul acted McGregor FAST after getting the Irishman’s attention. First, he swiftly proposed to Dana White a fight with the former champ-champ in the UFC with very high stakes connected to fighter pay. Hours later, he posted the following spoof-like video in response to McGregor’s “jackass” insult.

    “While I’m training MMA, the @TheNotoriousMMA is drinking Jack daniels in Dubai putting up sloppy boxing videos. Jackass,” the tweet reads.

    The video includes Paul securing a takedown in the sand, bear crawling on the street, doing clap push-ups in the rain, taking a cool golf swing, and going for a jog on a bridge, with the YouTuber yelling “Jackass” at the end of every clip in a pronunciation that mocks McGregor’s.

    MMA News will keep you posted if McGregor responds to Paul again or if the unthinkable happens and Dana White actually takes Paul up on his proposal for a McGregor/Paul UFC showdown.

    Were you entertained by Jake Paul’s response to Conor McGregor?

  • Archives: Alleged Conor McGregor Victim Details Miami Robbery (2019)

    The following article was published on this day three years ago. It is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives.

    On This Day Three Years Ago…

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MARCH 13, 2019, 10:13 AM]

    Conor McGregor landed himself behind bars once again this week. “The Notorious” was arrested in Miami Beach after allegedly smashing a fan’s phone and stealing it. The victim, who has since been identified as Ahmed Abdirzak, gave his side of the story to TMZ Sports. The London resident claims McGregor actually fooled him, going in for a handshake before taking his phone and smashing it (via MMA Junkie):

    “He came to shake my hand, and as soon as he came to shake my hand, he pulled me in and grabbed my phone and started smashing it,” Abdirzak said. “All these security guards literally surrounded me and pushed me out of the way. And he’s stomping on it.

    “He was a lot rude. He was like, ‘Get the (expletive) out of my face. Move.’ And I was like, ‘Yo, sir can I have my phone back?’ And (security guards said), ‘Move, man. Conor said what Conor said.’”

    Abdirzak then claims McGregor picked up the phone, pocketed it, and walked off while laughing. The 30-year-old was arrested hours later that day on strong-arm robbery and criminal mischief charges. Abdirzak said his phone is valued at $1,000, but the photos of his child are priceless, and he might never get them back:

    “I’ve got pictures of my son I’ll probably never get again,” Abdirzak said.

    What do you think about McGregor’s phone-smashing incident in Miami?

  • Jake Paul Proposes Deal To White For UFC Fight Against McGregor

    Jake Paul has laid out a proposal for Dana White to book him in a UFC fight against Conor McGregor with game-changing stakes.

    Dana White has held true to his word. Just as he vowed two months ago, White has not mentioned Jake Paul in any meaningful way after their latest exchange.

    In that exchange, White proposed that Paul randomly drug test him for cocaine over the next 10 years if White could, in turn, randomly drug test Paul for steroids for two years. This proposal was inspired by Paul constantly claiming that White is a cocaine addict.

    Paul then responded to White with the following counterproposal:

    Paul expressed a willingness to fight Jorge Masvidal in the UFC if White agrees to a list of terms that help improve fighter pay and benefits. After both parties accused one another of dodging the other’s challenge, White decided to wash his hands of Paul and vowed to never speak of him again.

    In one of his last comments about Paul, White was surprisingly respectful of the YouTuber, stating that he “doesn’t fault” Paul for the way he makes his money.

    Weeks later, after finally receiving a response from Conor McGregor and with White’s animosity towards him now at somewhat of a thaw, Paul decided to strike while the mitten’s hot and pitch a UFC fight against McGregor with some very big stakes.

    “Dana – Since you like me now, how about a 1 fight UFC deal to fight Conor. If I win, you agree to my UFC fighter pay and healthcare proposal. If I lose I donate my entire purse to all UFC fighters who make less than $50K a fight and never mention UFC again.

    Deal?”

    As usual, the odds of Dana White agreeing to Jake Paul’s terms are slim to none. Then again, moments like these are where the phrase “never say never” becomes very applicable.

    Paul has already expressed his confidence that he’d be able to KO the former champ-champ inside the Octagon. If Dana White stuns the world by agreeing to Paul’s terms, the YouTuber turned boxer will have the chance to go in for the finish and send the world into a shock-induced coma if he were to successfully knock out Conor McGregor in a UFC fight.

    How interested would you be to watch Jake Paul fight Conor McGregor in a UFC fight?

  • McGregor Finally Responds To Jake Paul & Claps Back At Malignaggi

    Conor McGregor fired back at one new target and one from years past after both took aim at the Irishman’s boxing skills.

    Conor McGregor has remained active after breaking his leg at UFC 264 against Dustin Poirier. He has spent much of his time bulking up and active resting. And now, he has begun to hit the pads as he inches closer to his targeted summer return.

    When footage of McGregor engaging in an outdoor training session was released, the Irishman left himself wide open to criticism from peers and haters alike, or in this case both.

    Notorious troll Jake Paul shared his thoughts on McGregor’s handiwork, calling it “embarrassing” and telling McGregor “Your chin (is) wide open with no head movement for the PRBLM CHILD right hand of god.”

    This is far from the first time Paul has jabbed McGregor. The former champ-champ was even one of Paul’s targets in his Dana White Diss Track.

    Additionally, Paul has been angling for a fight with McGregor for roughly a year now, roasting him at every turn. In fact, the YouTuber even went so far as to create a “Sleepy McGregor chain,” which depicted McGregor’s posture on the mat immediately after getting TKOd by Dustin Poirier at UFC 257.

    But through all the jokes and challenges, McGregor has never issued a direct response to Paul. That is until Friday.

    After Paul’s critique of McGregor’s boxing technique, “The Notorious” posted the following video on his Twitter page:

    After shadowboxing in bed for a few seconds, McGregor would shout, “Jackass!” before belting out a hearty laugh.

    McGregor & Malignaggi Back At It Again

    Soon after McGregor’s exchange with Paul, a name from McGregor’s past, Paulie Malignaggi, also weighed in on McGregor’s training video. Unsurprisingly, the “Magic Man” was not complimentary.

    “I agree with Jake. Connor is light work,” Malignaggi wrote.

    “He ain’t s**t” Malignaggi further assessed when a Twitter user spoke up in defense of McGregor.

    Never being one in need of someone to defend him, McGregor would counter Malignaggi himself.

    “I left you like a little seesaw,” McGregor said with an image from their infamous sparring session prior to the MayMac event.

    Malignaggi has always argued that him hitting the canvas during this session was actually a result of a push and that he wasn’t actually dropped by a McGregor punch. He also repeatedly called on McGregor to release the full sparring footage instead of cherry-picked clips.

    The full sparring session was never released, and Malignaggi has continued to take shots at McGregor ever since their falling out, even five years later.

    Though Malignaggi and McGregor never had the opportunity to compete in a full boxing match, Malignaggi did have the opportunity to fight McGregor’s close friend Artem Lobov in a bare-knuckle boxing match in 2019.

    Prior to the bout, Malignaggi admitted to not taking Lobov seriously and laughed about MMA fans being dumb enough to believe Lobov stood a chance.

    Lobov would go on to win the contest via split decision.

    What are your thoughts on McGregor’s clap-backs to Jake Paul and Paulie Malignaggi?

  • Jake Paul: I Would KO Conor McGregor In Boxing Or MMA

    YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul says he could beat UFC superstar Conor McGregor in a ring or in a cage.

    Paul has been on McGregor’s case for several months, as he continues to tease a potential boxing match with McGregor down the line. Paul is coming off of three-straight wins in 2021 over former UFC champion Tyron Woodley and former UFC fighter Ben Askren.

    McGregor was a target of Paul in a recent diss track that featured jabs at UFC President Dana White, Nate Diaz, and others. But not all of Paul’s comments towards McGregor have been adversarial, as he recently claimed that McGregor is the most underpaid fighter in history.

    In a recent tweet, Paul took his confidence to a different level when hinting at a potential fight with McGregor.

    “I would KO Conor in boxing or MMA,” Paul said. “Right hand of God.”

    Paul showed off his right hand in a gruesome knockout of Woodley last December. After five back-and-forth rounds, Paul landed a powerful right hook that sent Woodley to sleep.

    McGregor has hinted at a potential return to boxing down the line, most recently when he was allegedly in negotiations to fight Manny Pacquiao last year. However, he’s anticipating a return to MMA first, with a timetable set for this summer at the earliest.

    Though unlikely, Paul vs. McGregor boxing match could theoretically happen down the line, and Paul is confident he can put on another impressive performance against arguably one of the fight game’s best strikers.

    What do you make of Jake Paul’s roast of Conor McGregor?

  • Cejudo Says He’d Stop McGregor In Training Critique, Mac Hits Back

    Former UFC double-champ Henry Cejudo isn’t impressed by Conor McGregor’s striking that he showed off in a recent social media post.

    Cejudo and McGregor have bickered back and forth on social media on and off for months. While Cejudo remains a retired UFC fighter, he remains active on social media and is also a commentator for Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Eagle FC promotion.

    Cejudo is never afraid to speak his mind when it comes to his UFC colleagues, including former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley and former opponent Dominick Cruz.

    Despite being known mostly for his elite grappling during his time in the Octagon, the Olympic wrestler isn’t impressed with McGregor’s boxing. In a recent tweet, he criticized McGregor for his technique when hitting pads.

    “The same reason why you let people chew that front leg [Conor McGregor] is the same reason why I would stop you,” Cejudo said. “What do you say I make my comeback at 155?“

    McGregor, who has had his fair share of social media back-and-forths with his rivals, quickly hit back at Cejudo in a reply.

    “Shut up u little fart,” McGregor replied.

    Cejudo had hinted at a UFC comeback against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski before UFC president Dana White booked ‘The Korean Zombie’ for UFC 273. He hasn’t fought since he retired following UFC 249 in 2020.

    McGregor is preparing for a UFC comeback later this year after snapping his leg in his trilogy with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. While Cejudo is unafraid of McGregor, the Irishman is the more likely of the two to return to competition in 2022.

    What do you make of the Henry Cejudo/Conor McGregor Twitter beef?

  • Jorge Masvidal’s Manager Shoots Down “McGregor’s Too Small” Narrative

    A UFC showdown between Jorge Masvidal and Conor McGregor may not be far-fetched after all, according to Masvidal’s manager Malki Kawa.

    Masvidal most recently fell to Colby Covington in the UFC 272 main event. Except for a few big moments in the fight such as a round 4 knockdown, Masvidal was outgunned on the feet and the ground against Covington.

    Masvidal is looking to get back in the thick of things in the welterweight division with his next fight, while McGregor is anticipating a return to the cage later this year. A bout between the two pay-per-view superstars may make sense from a timing perspective.

    McGregor has also gained quite a bit of muscle mass, as he’s showed off in recent social media posts. This may deter the possibility of McGregor returning to lightweight and may force him to move up to welterweight to potentially face Masvidal.

    Masvidal’s management has previously claimed that a fight with the Irishman was offered at lightweight.

    In a recent tweet, Kawa downplayed UFC President Dana White’s earlier comments that McGregor is “too small” to take on Masvidal.

    “I saw McGregor in Dublin,” Kawa said. “He’s not small. He looked like he walks around 195-200lbs jacked.”

    McGregor was recently spotted in attendance at Bellator 275 in Dublin.

    If McGregor opts to move to welterweight for his UFC return, a fight with Masvidal may make sense for both sides. In contrast to White’s past comments on the matchup, it seems that Masvidal’s team sees a fight with McGregor as a legitimate possibility.

    Do you want to see Jorge Masvidal vs. Conor McGregor?

  • Makhachev Refutes ‘Fake News’ Put Forth By White & McGregor

    Making the most of his opportunity to address some recent comments, UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev has refuted claims made by both Dana White and Conor McGregor.

    Despite extending his win streak to 10 with a dominant performance over Bobby Green just two weeks ago, much of the current discussion about Makhachev surrounds his apparent decision to turn down a short-notice fight against longtime rival Rafael dos Anjos.

    After the withdrawal of Rafael Fiziev early in UFC 272 fight week, the former UFC lightweight champion was after a new opponent. While Makhachev appeared willing to step in on social media, RDA’s compatriot Renato Moicano was later revealed to be the chosen one.

    Shortly after, White claimed he’d gone to sleep assuming a deal had been agreed for the Dagestani to complete quick turnaround, only for him to discover the #3-ranked 155lber had turned it down.

    During a recent interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto, Makhachev had the chance to provide his side of the story.

    Giving a different take, the 30-year-old claimed he’d called the UFC to try and make the fight happen, not the other way around. However, he cited an important condition not being met as the reason the fight fell through.

    “Dana said I turned down this fight, but Monday morning, when I wake up, I just saw some news, like ‘Fiziev have COVID. The fight is canceled.’ And I’ve been in California on vacation,” said Makhachev. “And I wake up and call my manager. ‘Hey, Ali [Abdelaziz], I saw some news. Please call UFC and say I’m ready (to) take this fight.’

    “And I ask about some condition, very small condition, nothing (too big). And (neither UFC nor Ali called me). I (woke) up and I called Ali, and I tell him, ‘Hey, come talk with the UFC, please. I want this fight,” Makhachev continued. “But the UFC (didn’t) do it. That’s why it (didn’t) happen, and that’s it. People think UFC call me and tried to make this fight, but I call UFC, and I ask about this fight.”

    While Makhachev didn’t delve further into details about the mentioned stipulation, his initial callout on social media included a request for it to be a welterweight bout. Perhaps the UFC or dos Anjos’ desire for a 160-pound catchweight, as the eventual UFC 272 co-main was fought at, led to negotiations collapsing.

    Makhachev: McGregor Will Never Agree To Fight Me

    Conor McGregor Islam Makhachev
    Conor McGregor, Islam Makhachev

    Elsewhere on his trail of calling out ‘fake news,’ Makhachev took aim at familiar foe McGregor. Given his friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov’s history with the Irishman, it’s not surprising to see the Dagestani going back and forth with McGregor as his rise to the top of the lightweight division continues.

    First addressing the idea of the former two-division champion returning from injury and a two-fight skid straight into a title fight, Makhachev suggested it’ll be hard for McGregor to make 155 pounds and be competitive given he’s “drunk all day.”

    “I think this is fake. For the fans, they make (something) interesting, but I think this fake. It’s gonna be hard for him to make 155 because he drunk all day, and a lot of people gonna smash him in this division,” asserted Makhachev. “He just gonna fight vs. Nate Diaz or some old people (to) make some money and that’s it. He’s never gonna be champion. He’s never gonna be (at championship level).”

    Moving on to his personal issues with McGregor, Makhachev suggested the former lightweight and featherweight titleholder was bluffing when he expressed a desire to fight the top-five contender.

    Having seen a decline in form since his defeat to Khabib in 2018, Makhachev doesn’t believe he’d have an issue dispatching McGregor. For that reason, he says McGregor would “never” accept the fight.

    “He just play game. He never gonna take this fight. He just play a little bit game. Because he knows (it’s) gonna be long night for him,” claimed Makhachev. “What Khabib did with him, I’m gonna—because he’s not same now. When he fight with Khabib, (he was) in good shape, not drunk too much. But now, he have to retire. This guy have money, everything. But if he wanna come back, let’s do it. I’ll be happy to smash him.”

    Having failed to book a rematch between Khabib and McGregor, whose first bout ended with a memorable brawl, perhaps the UFC and White will look for what may be the next best thing: ‘The Next Khabib’ Makhachev vs. the “Notorious” megastar.

    How do you think a fight between Islam Makhachev and Conor McGregor would play out?

  • Rogan: White Touted Islam/Dariush To Set Up “Crazy” McGregor Title Shot

    UFC color commentator Joe Rogan believes that Dana White and his promotion may have decided to re-book Islam Makhachev’s fight with Beneil Dariush in order to lay the groundwork for Conor McGregor to return into a title bout.

    At UFC Vegas 49, Makhachev added a 10th win to a lengthy win streak. After the withdrawal of Dariush, who suffered a broken fibula in training earlier in February, the Dagestani faced short-notice opponent Bobby Green, finishing him with ease in the first round.

    Despite Green being unranked, many expected the win to secure Makhachev the spot immediately behind Justin Gaethje in the queue for a title shot. Judging by the #3-ranked contender and his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov’s comments, they seemed to share that sentiment.

    However, after Makhachev apparently turned down a short-notice clash with Rafael dos Anjos for UFC 272, the UFC president announced that February 26’s original headliner will be re-booked for later this year.

    While the revelation came as a surprise to some, not least to fans of Makhachev, renowned UFC personality and podcast host Joe Rogan believes he’s identified the method behind the promotion’s decision.

    Talk of Conor McGregor, who’s been out of action since breaking his leg last July, returning to the Octagon straight into a title fight has increased in recent weeks, largely after White appeared to leave the door open to the idea.

    According to Rogan, the UFC likely re-booked Makhachev vs. Dariush in order to set up a championship opportunity for the Irishman when he makes his comeback.

    “When Dana said that Makhachev now has to fight Beneil Dariush before he can fight for the title, I think that sets up a Conor fight (for the title). I think that’s probably why he really did it,” Rogan said on his podcast, the Joe Rogan Experience, this past week. “It’s kind of crazy.” (h/t MMA Fighting)

    White Previously Slammed Those Criticizing A McGregor Title Shot

    “Crazy” is perhaps the adjective used by a large portion of the MMA community. While some have suggested McGregor’s past achievements, immense drawing ability, and superstardom mean an immediate title fight, despite his two-fight skid, is justified, others have used it as another example of the rankings being wrongly discarded.

    If you fall on the latter side of that debate, you’re an idiot, according to the UFC President.

    During an appearance on My Mom’s Basement with Robbie Fox, White responded to those who have criticized his willingness to have the former two-division champion return from injury straight into a title fight. He had some choice words for his detractors.

    “The problem is, every time I do a f*cking interview, all anybody wants to ask is, ‘You think Conor McGregor will get a f*cking title shot?’ That’s all they f*cking ask,” said White. “So, I’m gonna say, ‘Well Conor McGregor isn’t anywhere near coming back yet, so I don’t know, let’s see what happens..’ It’s a dumb f*cking question for the media to ask, but the media asks dumb f*cking sh*t all day, every day. That’s what happens.

    “And anybody who’s p*ssed off because Conor might f*cking get (a title shot), you’re a f*cking idiot too. If that p*sses you off, Jesus Christ. Calm down, buddy,” concluded White.

    What do you make of a potential Conor McGregor title shot when he returns to action later this year?

  • Jake Paul Explains Why McGregor/Masvidal Is The Fight to Make

    YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul has pitched a fight between two of his own desired opponents, UFC superstars Conor McGregor and Jorge Masvidal.

    While both McGregor and Masvidal’s statuses as two of the top names in mixed martial arts remain intact, their form inside the Octagon has been far from desirable.

    For the Irishman, back-to-back defeats to Dustin Poirier have left him 1-3 across his last four appearances. The former two-division titleholder has been out of action since breaking his leg at UFC 264 last July.

    Masvidal, meanwhile, has followed up his incredible 2019 by losing three straight, two of which came to reigning UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman. Most recently, “Gamebred” fell to a three-fight skid after falling short in his grudge match with Colby Covington at UFC 272 this past weekend.

    Pausing his own search for a next opponent and hopes to fight the pair, Paul, who’s gone 5-0 in boxing since venturing to the ring as a professional in 2020, donned his UFC matchmaking hat.

    In a post on Twitter, “The Problem Child,” who has frequently taken shots at both men, most recently in his Dana White diss track, suggested that a meeting between Masvidal and McGregor is the fight to make.

    “We already know Conor can’t finish Diaz. Right fight to make is Masvidoll vs macgregor. 50/50 fight, ends in KO. Both can throw and both have weak chins”

    Masvidal vs. McGregor Has Been On The Radar Before

    McGregor and Masvidal have long engaged in a rivalry over social media and in interviews. After “Gamebred” rose to stardom in 2019, it appeared the pair were perhaps gearing up to share the Octagon together.

    However, UFC President Dana White pumped the breaks on that idea after suggesting Masvidal is “too big” for McGregor, who, according to him, doesn’t belong at welterweight.

    With that in mind, Masvidal’s manager, Ibrahim Kawa, claimed the UFC asked his client to drop to lightweight to collide with the “Notorious” megastar, a discussion that fizzled out when McGregor did, in fact, move up to 170 pounds, but to fight Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone instead.

    While Masvidal has previously insinuated that McGregor wants no part of a fight with him, the Miami native certainly left the door open for the matchup to come together down the line. Perhaps now is the time.

    Masvidal finds himself in a tricky position following UFC 272. Given his stardom, he’s certainly grown into a position whereby the promotion will target for him to continue being a part of pay-per-view main events. For him to do that, there are few available names beyond McGregor and Nate Diaz.

    However, “Gamebred” has made it clear he maintains title aspirations and is targeting a trilogy with Usman down the line. For that to happen, he’ll need to fight an appropriate welterweight contender. If that is the next step, it stands to reason Masvidal would have to settle for a main card slot against a name like former rival Stephen Thompson, Neil Magny, or the loser of Gilbert Burns vs. Khamzat Chimaev.

    It will be interesting to see which direction the UFC chooses to go in, but Paul’s idea is certainly conceivable, especially if McGregor is snubbed of a lightweight title shot upon his return.

    Do you agree with Jake Paul? Would you like to see Jorge Masvidal and Conor McGregor collide inside the Octagon?

  • dos Anjos Remains Dead Set On McGregor Rebooking After UFC 272 Win

    Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos still feels he has unfinished business with Conor McGregor inside the Octagon.

    dos Anjos dismantled short-notice replacement Renato Moicano in the UFC 272 co-headliner. He was originally supposed to face Rafael Fiziev before Fiziev recently tested positive for COVID-19.

    The 37-year-old dos Anjos proved that he still can compete with some of the best lightweights in the UFC with his latest win. He returned to the cage following a two-year layoff after his win over Paul Felder in his last appearance.

    dos Anjos has previously stated that he feels a fight with McGregor needs to happen before their careers come to a close. They were supposed to compete at UFC 196 when RDA held the lightweight title but pulled out with an injury.

    McGregor went on to face Nate Diaz on short notice, losing in a shocking submission defeat.

    McGregor has also expressed mutual interest in a fight with dos Anjos. The two could’ve potentially met at UFC 264 when RDA served as the backup to McGregor’s matchup with Dustin Poirier.

    dos Anjos and McGregor nearly got into a physical altercation at the UFC Apex during the UFC 264 weigh-ins.

    Rafael dos Anjos Still Set On McGregor Bout

    During his UFC 272 post-fight press conference, dos Anjos named McGregor as his top target for his next fight later this year.

    “The fight would make sense,” dos Anjos opined. “Conor is coming back in the summer.”

    dos Anjos went on to elaborate as to why a fight with McGregor would make the most sense for both parties.

    “He’s a big name, sells a lot of PPV, we have a history, too. I’m looking for names that make me want to go to the gym. Don’t wanna fight names that don’t interest me. He’s the guy that would motivate me.”

    McGregor is expected to return later this year after suffering a nasty leg break against Poirier at UFC 264. It’s unclear whether or not McGregor will return as a lightweight to face RDA following his recent weight gains.

    If McGregor is still intent on pursuing a lightweight title run, a matchup with dos Anjos would make sense. The winner could surge into the title picture and potentially earn a shot at the belt sooner rather than later.

    Do you want to see Rafael dos Anjos vs. Conor McGregor next?

  • Conor McGregor Goes On Twitter Rampage About Islam Makhachev

    Former UFC champion Conor McGregor went after Islam Makhachev on social media regarding talks of a fight between them.

    McGregor is focused on a return to the Octagon later this year after a nasty leg break he suffered against Dustin Poirier last summer at UFC 264. Makhachev is coming off of his 10th straight win over short-notice replacement Bobby Green at UFC Vegas 49, after he was originally supposed to face Beneil Dariush.

    McGregor has a long history with Makhachev’s coach and mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov. McGregor fell to Nurmagomedov via fourth-round submission at UFC 229 after a series of personal attacks in the buildup.

    Following his win over Green, Makhachev hinted at wanting a title shot next but also an “easy” fight against McGregor. UFC President Dana White most recently shut down the idea of Makhachev fighting for the title next.

    McGregor began his attack on Makhachev by expressing interest in a future fight between the two of them.

    https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1499793340052746246?s=20&t=jBm0tB306w8wDJExr9AdCQ

    “I’ll fight that shit stain makchavich, no sweat,” McGregor said. “Embarrassing g’n’p the other night IMO. Pitiful punching. And then bottles the RDA fight after mouthing of him lol. Embarrassing. Watch when I come back. Same as before. Anyone. Any weight. Anywhere. Game full of shit stains.”

    McGregor went on to discredit Makhachev’s most recent win over Green at UFC Vegas 49.

    https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1499795855091585035?s=20&t=bmVMujeVzFWAz64vlwn7Og
    https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1499797224888455168?s=20&t=c3CK5Gzi6lEjll6aJhX6nA

    “Full mount g’n’p and the guy bounces up not a scratch, huggin and kissing,” McGregor said. “Talkin bout thanks for the match etc. If that’s me there’s holes left in their head like they been smacked with a sock full of golf balls. Don’t even know where they are. Caramel butter skin strikes again!

    “Am I the only one that sees this stuff for what it is or what’s the craic ?
    Not a scratch, man. Embarrassing!”

    Makhachev had been rumored to be a short-notice opponent against Rafael dos Anjos before he allegedly turned the fight down. dos Anjos will now face Renato Moicano in the UFC 272 co-main event.

    McGregor has previously said that he expects a title shot upon his MMA return, and a matchup with Makhachev could be an option as well. It seems that this could only be the beginning of a new rivalry between McGregor and Makhachev.

    Do you think we’ll see Conor McGregor vs. Islam Makhachev in 2022?

  • Dana White To Those Criticizing A McGregor Title Shot: You’re An Idiot

    UFC President Dana White has responded to those criticizing recent comments he made about Conor McGregor’s return to the Octagon.

    McGregor hasn’t been in action since his second defeat of 2021 at UFC 264 last July, a setback that marked the end of his presence in the cage for some time. Having been knocked out by Dustin Poirier in January, the Irishman suffered a broken leg six months later when the pair completed their trilogy.

    Now, nearly eight months beyond his gruesome injury, McGregor has stepped up talk of a return. Having kept fans updated on his recovery and return to training, McGregor has suggested he’ll come back with a vengeance later this year.

    But despite riding a two-fight skid into 2022 and losing three of his last four outings, it’s seeming increasingly likely that we could see the “Notorious” megastar compete with gold on the line immediately.

    Dana White appeared to confirm as much in a recent interview, during which he suggested McGregor’s return opponent will depend on who the champion is at the time and what they want to do.

    “We will see what’s what with the lightweight division,” said White to The Underground. “It’s going to depend on who the champion is when Conor McGregor comes back, they have a say in it. What do they want to do? If it’s Oliveira who is still champion when Conor comes back, maybe Oliveira wants Conor we will see then.”

    Having revealed the promotion’s plan to re-book Islam Makhachev vs. Beneil Dariush in the summer rather than grant the Dagestani the next shot after Justin Gaethje, it seems the stars are beginning to line favorably for the former two-division titleholder.

    That will especially be the case if Oliveira retains the gold at UFC 274. The Brazilian has already approved McGregor’s request for a championship opportunity. A Gaethje victory, meanwhile, would perhaps prove trickier for the Dubliner.

    White Tells McGregor Detractors To “Calm Down”

    Following White’s latest comments, a wave of backlash was sent his way by some fans and pundits, many of whom suggested an immediate title shot for McGregor would be a ludicrous decision.

    But according to the UFC President, being annoyed by it is even more ludicrous.

    During a recent appearance on My Mom’s Basement with Robbie Fox, White responded to those slamming his recent remarks. After suggesting the media was to blame for asking about McGregor in the first place, the 52-year-old branded those frustrated by the possibility of a McGregor title shot as “idiots.”

    “The problem is, every time I do a f*cking interview, all anybody wants to ask is, ‘You think Conor McGregor will get a f*cking title shot?’ That’s all they f*cking ask,” said White. “So, I’m gonna say, ‘Well Conor McGregor isn’t anywhere near coming back yet, so I don’t know, let’s see what happens..’ It’s a dumb f*cking question for the media to ask, but the media asks dumb f*cking sh*t all day, every day. That’s what happens.

    “And anybody who’s p*ssed off because Conor might f*cking get (a title shot), you’re a f*cking idiot too. If that p*sses you off, Jesus Christ. Calm down, buddy,” concluded White.

    Having consistently announced his intention to return straight back into the title picture this year, White’s remarks will certainly be encouraging for the Irishman. However, it will also serve as another reminder of the overriding importance of star power, even over rankings and form.

    Do you think Conor McGregor should return from injury straight into a title fight?