Conor McGregor has welcomed a celebrity boxing match against 58-year-old UFC legend Mark Coleman.
Coleman was the UFC's inaugural heavyweight champion as he won the belt by tapping out fellow legend Dan Severn in 1997. Known as 'The Godfather of Ground and Pound', Coleman's name is forever written in MMA history as he was one of the first wrestlers to achieve success in the cage.
The 58-year-old is now set for a fighting return as he signed a deal with Celebrity Boxing to make his ring debut in October. Former two-weight UFC champion McGregor seemed to welcome the idea of serving as Coleman's opponent for the boxing fight as he reacted to the news in a now-deleted tweet that read: "Challenge accepted!"
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Coleman saw McGregor's tweet before it was deleted as he said in an Instagram video: "Hey Conor McGregor I'm a big fan. Thank you for calling me out! It has to be in boxing because I would smash you in MMA you know that. Boxing you are probably going to lose a decision, but I want a red panty night."
McGregor is preparing for a fight of his own as he is set to face Michael Chandler later this year after recently coaching against his UFC rival on The Ultimate Fighter. No date or venue has been officially announced for the fight, but it will likely either take place at UFC 295 in November or UFC 296 in December.
Coleman retired from fighting in 2013 with a record of 16-10, picking up wins against the likes of Don Frye, Shogun Rua and Stephan Bonnar during his legendary career. 'The Hammer' suffered a heart attack in 2020 and battled with addiction problems, but he checked himself into rehab and recently hit the two-year sobriety mark.
"Life has never ever been better," Coleman said. I've been about two years sober now. I checked into rehab and got my s*** together, changed my life and saved my life. I've never had peace in my life but I'm so at peace right now. Looking at my three daughters, they are my life and I'm so blessed. I'm still so grateful to be part of the greatest sport for the world."
