Mac Leaks Dana Texts, Claims He’s Fighting Pac-Man

TORRENCE, CA – FEBRUARY 24: UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor speaks during an interview after a news conference with lightweight contender Nate Diaz at UFC Gym February 24, 2016, in Torrance, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) | Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight champion Conor McGregor, who also held gold at 145 pounds, is doing everything in his power to avert your attention from his most recent run-in with the law.

That’s probably why “Notorious” is providing some insight into his 17th retirement, which came after he “pushed hard” to get another fight once he finished disposing of veteran “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone in the UFC 246 main event back in January.

“Three weeks post my last record-breaking event, I was campaigning for another blockbuster McGregor event to take place,” the still-retired Irishman wrote on Twitter. “Sad about my season I must say.“

https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA

“I was pushing hard for the season,” McGregor said. “Multiple opponents, multiple dates offered throughout. All to take place back to back. Then when COVID-19 hit and the talk was that I would have to wait for crowds again, I walked away from the situation. I was waiting long enough at that stage.”

UFC, understandably, was in no rush to lose an $18 million gate.

https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA

https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA

“Here’s the finish of that exchange,” McGregor continued. “Pre COVID-19. Pre retirement. Never turned down offer of Tony as was suggested at the time. I stated months in advance (early February) that I was not interested in being an alternate for two consistent pullouts. Pushed for my own scheduled bouts.”

I guess he forgot about these comments.

https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA

McGregor was expected to land the spot against Tony Ferguson after Khabib Nurmagomedov was unable to keep his commitment to the UFC 249 headliner, but “Notorious” later balked at the idea of serving as a potential back up and opted to remain on the sidelines.

“Anyway all water under the bridge who gives a fook. I’m boxing Manny Pacquiao next in the Middle East,” McGregor said. “It will be a true honor to have faced two of the greatest boxers of the modern era, afraid of a fight.”

Having already fought (and lost) to boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr., McGregor hopes to make his return to the “sweet science” for a showdown against “Pac Man,” who appears to be just as interested in another combat sports crossover bout.

ESPN has more:

The McGregor-Pacquiao boxing match would take place in late December or early January, Attar said. The Middle East is one of a few locations being discussed to host the fight, he added.

Attar recently told ESPN he had talks with the UFC about McGregor’s future. On Friday, he said McGregor fighting Pacquiao in a boxing match was, in fact, one of the topics discussed; according to Attar, the UFC was on board with the idea.

That may explain this new footage:

McGregor vs. Pacquiao … who wants it?