Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images
Dana White believes Conor McGregor’s recent tweet was about Khamzat Chimaev, which the Irishman gave another cryptic follow up to.
It’s no secret that Conor McGregor is at a level of fame where every move he makes draws attention. He recently posted a two-word tweet lacking any context whatsoever, and that made some headlines.
I accept!
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 30, 2020
One reporter thought he’d get to the bottom of it and brought it up with Dana White during the UFC Vegas 5 pre-fight scrum on Friday. With certainty, the UFC president gave his response.
“Yeah, that was Khamzat,” White said. “Khamzat posted, ‘I want Nate Diaz, Masvidal, or McGregor. And McGregor said. ‘I accept.’ That’s what that was.”
As for making the fight happen, White has zero interest for now.
“No,” he said with a laugh and a head shake. “Listen, Conor’s retired and Conor’s move right now is sit back, see how this year plays out, and see what’s next for him.
“You know he wants the Khabib fight; that happens October 24th. So, we’ll see.”
ESPN’s Ariel Helwani himself did some digging, and what he got contradicts the boss’ response.
Spoke to @TheNotoriousMMA briefly today. He confirmed that his ‘I accept’ tweet was not about Khamzat Chimaev, despite what was said earlier today. He declined to further elaborate what it was actually referring to, though.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 31, 2020
As it turns out, Helwani may be right. “The Notorious” later posted a version of his previous tweet, translated in Filipino.
tinatanggap ko
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 31, 2020
This cryptic follow-up could be hinting at a fight against boxing icon Manny Pacquiao. The two have been talking about a possible bout for years now.
Early this year, “The Notorious” mentioned some ongoing negotiations with Sen. Pacquiao, which was revealed to be the boxer signing with the same management company, Paradigm Sports Management.
The pair also had a brief back and forth during McGregor’s 32nd birthday.
Thank you Emmanuel, 170. https://t.co/34aoWV5gKI
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 16, 2020
At 41-years-old, Pacquiao is still a legitimate threat and a lucrative matchup. He last saw action in July 2019 against Keith Thurman, whom he scored a knockdown against to win a decision verdict.