Conor McGregor is backing former UFC star Nate Diaz against Jake Paul.
Diaz (0-0) meets Paul (6-1) in an eight-round boxing match Aug. 5 at American Airlines Center in Dallas. The fight will take place at 185 pounds and be promoted by DAZN with a live pay-per-view broadcast.
Diaz is making his professional boxing debut, but McGregor thinks his former foe will top Paul.
“I think Nate Diaz slaps the head off him, and I look forward to seeing it,” McGregor told Inside Fighting.
Paul, however, thinks otherwise. The YouTube star-turned-boxer not only predicted that he’ll beat Diaz, but also pictures stopping him – and he’s eyeing McGregor after.
“I’m a better boxer than you (Conor) and will do what you couldn’t and knock Nate out,” Paul tweeted. “After Nate let’s box as the co main event same night as Katie Taylor VS. [sic] Amanda Serrano in Dublin. But since you’re not your own boss you will hide behind Dana or just drink the rest of your life away. August 5th you will see.”
McGregor and Diaz fought twice in the UFC, with Diaz scoring an upset submission at UFC 196, and “The Notorious” avenging his loss by majority decision in their rematch at UFC 202.
When asked if he’ll make the trip to Dallas to watch the fight, McGregor said he most likely won’t.
“I’ll probably be on the Lamborghini just off the coast of Sicily,” McGregor responded.
McGregor was in attendance for Saturday night’s boxing showdown between Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, sharing words of wisdom with Garcia, who lost to Davis by seventh-round knockout.
For more on the matchup, visit MMA Junkie’s hub for Paul vs. Diaz.
