Irish mixed martial artist Conor McGregor has revealed that he is currently in negotiations for a boxing exhibition match against YouTuber-turned-boxer Logan Paul in India. McGregor shared on social media that he has reached 'preliminary agreements' with the family of billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani to face Paul in the ring.
McGregor confirmed his participation in the proposed bout, dismissing rumors of a potential fight with UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. Topuria also denied any speculation of a matchup with McGregor, citing reasons related to the latter's legal issues.
McGregor's announcement comes on the heels of a recent civil court ruling in Ireland, where he was ordered to pay a substantial sum to a woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2018. McGregor has maintained his innocence, claiming that the encounter was consensual and that the allegations were fabricated.
The 36-year-old McGregor, a former UFC standout, has been out of action since sustaining a leg injury in a fight against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. He withdrew from a scheduled match last June, citing a broken toe as the reason for his absence.
Logan Paul, known for his foray into boxing, previously faced off against boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. in an exhibition match. Paul's brother, Jake Paul, recently secured a victory over former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in a high-profile bout that garnered significant viewership on Netflix.
The potential McGregor-Paul matchup has generated considerable buzz within the combat sports community, with fans eagerly anticipating the outcome of the proposed exhibition. McGregor hinted at a return to the UFC following his boxing showdown with Paul, signaling a potential resurgence in his fighting career.
As the negotiations progress, the sports world remains abuzz with speculation surrounding the potential clash between McGregor and Paul, setting the stage for a potentially high-profile event in the near future.
