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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Charlie Wilson

Jake Paul calls out Conor McGregor for crossover fight in further Tommy Fury blow

Jake Paul has called out Conor McGregor for a potential crossover fight as their rivalry continues to heat up. Paul has called out the UFC superstar on numerous occasions, with the YouTuber-turned-boxer looking to set up a big money encounter. Over the last few years, McGregor has established himself as one of the biggest draw's in combat sports.

McGregor could prove to be an option for Paul – who is advised by Nakisa Bidarian, the former UFC CFO, and has worked with McGregor’s manager Audi Attar. White, the president of the UFC, said that Paul should be concerning himself with boxing cruiserweights, as opposed to MMA fighters known for competing at lightweight or welterweight in their sport.

And White has also spoken on how their weight differences would be an issue for the two to meet - whether it be in a ring or an octagon. The YouTuber-turned-boxer has weighed in as heavy as 192lb during his five-fight professional boxing career but has vowed to cut light-heavyweight to fight McGregor.

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The Irishman has previous won titles at 145lb and 155lb, but has also won twice at 170lb against Nate Diaz and Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone - McGregor has also teased the idea of going up to middleweight - currently walking around at 190lbs.

McGregor, who has been forced out of action for almost a year with a broken leg suffered against Dustin Poirier last summer, is now seemingly around the same weight as Paul, and has been seen boxing training throughout the past few weeks. And Paul is not happy with White for not giving him the opportunity to face McGregor - currently in contract with the UFC.

Paul said: "White is begging for Diaz and Conor to fight for a third time. They have fought at 170lb in both their fights. I will fight Conor at 175lb, no problem. Stop making excuses p****es."

White has admitted that he is not keen to get back into crossover fights after helping negotiate the McGregor-Mayweather bout in 2017, however he has recently said that he would be willing to explore the prospect again, but only for a fight of massive consequence and financial reward.

Paul has been out of action himself since December after facing former UFC champion Tyron Woodley. The fight was quickly scheduled after Tommy Fury pulled out of their contest, with Paul having ruled out any chance of rescheduling against the Manchester-born fighter.

"I don't think a fight will ever happen. I don't want to give him the opportunity. He had his shot,” Paul told Showtime TV on facing Tommy Fury. I'd like to see him have to fight 20 more times to even get the same payday he was going to get versus me. Sorry Tommy, it's not going to happen."

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