Tag: Conor McGregor

Paul Hughes No Longer Interested In Conor McGregor Cornering For Nurmagomedov Fight: ‘With Things Going Down Now…’

Paul Hughes has done a complete about-face regarding his enthusiasm for having Conor McGregor in the corner for his upcoming fight. When Hughes triumphed over AJ McKee at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants in October, he passionately floated the idea of enlisting his Irish compatriot, “The Notorious,” to join his corner for a […]

Paul Hughes has done a complete about-face regarding his enthusiasm for having Conor McGregor in the corner for his upcoming fight.

When Hughes triumphed over AJ McKee at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants in October, he passionately floated the idea of enlisting his Irish compatriot, “The Notorious,” to join his corner for a potential title clash with reigning Bellator Lightweight Champion Usman Nurmagomedov.

At the time, McGregor pledged his support, expressing interest in standing in Hughes’ corner. The opportunity to reignite his storied rivalry with UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov — Usman’s first cousin and an almost certain presence in his corner — added an intriguing layer to the matchup.

“Big News” is now gearing up to face Nurmagomedov in the headline bout of the Road to Dubai Champions Series, set for Jan. 25 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, U.A.E. Surprisingly, though, he has decided to abandon his earlier plan of attempting to secure the former two-division UFC champion’s services for the biggest fight of his career to date.

During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Hughes said that he was simply toying with the idea and explained that he has no real plans to bring McGregor into his corner for the highly anticipated title clash.

“Look, I mean the whole corner thing, that was the post-fight interview where things were just being thrown there,” Hughes said. “Other than, that just blew up and did the rounds on social media a couple of times. Other than that, I haven’t mentioned it or looked about anything to do that.”

“Big News” further explained that, given McGregor’s involvement in a whirlwind of controversy following an Irish court ruling last month that he was liable for the assault of a woman who accused him of rape in 2018, it would be unwise to enlist the sport’s most iconic figure for his corner.

“Obviously with things going down now, it’s not something I’m going to continue to pursue.”

However, Hughes also mentioned that he would prefer to have another fellow Irishman, UFC welterweight sensation Ian Garry, in his corner.

Interestingly, “The Future” had previously offered his support, suggesting the idea of returning the favor after Hughes cornered him in 2021 during his title fight under the Cage Warriors banner.

Stephen A. Smith: ‘More Experienced Boxer’ Logan Paul Would Beat Conor McGregor In The Ring

If former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor wants to record his first win in the boxing ring at the second time of trying next year, Stephen A. Smith doesn’t think Logan Paul would be a smart opponent. Talk of the next step in McGregor’s combat sports career has largely centered around a UFC return in […]

If former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor wants to record his first win in the boxing ring at the second time of trying next year, Stephen A. Smith doesn’t think Logan Paul would be a smart opponent.

Talk of the next step in McGregor’s combat sports career has largely centered around a UFC return in recent times. That was originally announced toward the start of 2023 ahead of his and Michael Chandler’s battle as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter.

But that reality series and two calendar years will have passed by without the Irishman making the walk again. Nevertheless, McGregor has remained steadfast on insisting that his career is not over, and he’s now eyeing up a clash with Chandler for 2025.

First, however, it would appear “The Notorious” has his sights on a surprising assignment in the squared circle.

McGregor — whose most recent battle came in the courtroom, where he was found liable for assault after being accused of rape — took to social media this week to claim an exhibition boxing match with Logan Paul is in the works, with the billionaire Ambani family looking to stage it in India.

While it remains to be seen how truthful the Dubliner’s claim is, that hasn’t stopped fans and pundits alike from pondering how a clash with the older Paul brother would play out.

During a recent episode of ESPN‘s First Take, Sports television personality Stephen A. Smith gave his take on the potential matchup.

For McGregor, it didn’t make for good listening…

“I think Logan Paul is going to beat him,” Smith said. “I don’t think that Conor McGregor is a boxer; he’s a striker. So, he’s sitting up there, and he ain’t even throwing his jab. He’s pitter-pattering. You ain’t clipping Logan Paul like that. You’ve got to do more than that.

“We don’t know yet (which size gloves they’re using), but it doesn’t matter. Unless it’s pillows like 16 or 18 ounces, it ain’t going to work. I just think that Logan Paul is bigger, he’s a much bigger man, he’s a more experienced boxer,” Smith continued. “Those big muscles are going to make you a bit slower, and you’ve got to remember that Conor had quickness, he could catch you quick and clip you. That’s not going to be the case in the boxing ring.”

Like younger brother Jake, Logan does have experience in the exhibition and crossover boxing realm. He battled fellow online star and now-business partner KSI twice before later facing a shared opponent with McGregor in Floyd Mayweather. Having gone the distance in that exhibition, “The Maverick” returned to the ring in 2023 to defeat Dillon Danis.

McGregor, meanwhile, has not boxed competitively since being TKO’d by Mayweather in their highly covered 2017 bout. Judging by Jake Paul’s recent claim that he, too, has been offered a match with the Irishman recently, it would appear the UFC star is intent on his next outing coming in the ring.

Stephen A. Smith: ‘More Experienced Boxer’ Logan Paul Would Beat Conor McGregor In The Ring

If former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor wants to record his first win in the boxing ring at the second time of trying next year, Stephen A. Smith doesn’t think Logan Paul would be a smart opponent. Talk of the next step in McGregor’s combat sports career has largely centered around a UFC return in […]

If former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor wants to record his first win in the boxing ring at the second time of trying next year, Stephen A. Smith doesn’t think Logan Paul would be a smart opponent.

Talk of the next step in McGregor’s combat sports career has largely centered around a UFC return in recent times. That was originally announced toward the start of 2023 ahead of his and Michael Chandler’s battle as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter.

But that reality series and two calendar years will have passed by without the Irishman making the walk again. Nevertheless, McGregor has remained steadfast on insisting that his career is not over, and he’s now eyeing up a clash with Chandler for 2025.

First, however, it would appear “The Notorious” has his sights on a surprising assignment in the squared circle.

McGregor — whose most recent battle came in the courtroom, where he was found liable for assault after being accused of rape — took to social media this week to claim an exhibition boxing match with Logan Paul is in the works, with the billionaire Ambani family looking to stage it in India.

While it remains to be seen how truthful the Dubliner’s claim is, that hasn’t stopped fans and pundits alike from pondering how a clash with the older Paul brother would play out.

During a recent episode of ESPN‘s First Take, Sports television personality Stephen A. Smith gave his take on the potential matchup.

For McGregor, it didn’t make for good listening…

“I think Logan Paul is going to beat him,” Smith said. “I don’t think that Conor McGregor is a boxer; he’s a striker. So, he’s sitting up there, and he ain’t even throwing his jab. He’s pitter-pattering. You ain’t clipping Logan Paul like that. You’ve got to do more than that.

“We don’t know yet (which size gloves they’re using), but it doesn’t matter. Unless it’s pillows like 16 or 18 ounces, it ain’t going to work. I just think that Logan Paul is bigger, he’s a much bigger man, he’s a more experienced boxer,” Smith continued. “Those big muscles are going to make you a bit slower, and you’ve got to remember that Conor had quickness, he could catch you quick and clip you. That’s not going to be the case in the boxing ring.”

Like younger brother Jake, Logan does have experience in the exhibition and crossover boxing realm. He battled fellow online star and now-business partner KSI twice before later facing a shared opponent with McGregor in Floyd Mayweather. Having gone the distance in that exhibition, “The Maverick” returned to the ring in 2023 to defeat Dillon Danis.

McGregor, meanwhile, has not boxed competitively since being TKO’d by Mayweather in their highly covered 2017 bout. Judging by Jake Paul’s recent claim that he, too, has been offered a match with the Irishman recently, it would appear the UFC star is intent on his next outing coming in the ring.

Conor McGregor Opens As Betting Underdog For Potential Logan Paul Boxing Match

Conor McGregor has not fought in over three years but according to a recent social media post from “The Notorious”, that is set to change in the near future. In one of the most unexpected announcements of the year, the former UFC champ-champ claimed on X that he is already in preliminary talks for a […]

Conor McGregor has not fought in over three years but according to a recent social media post from “The Notorious”, that is set to change in the near future. In one of the most unexpected announcements of the year, the former UFC champ-champ claimed on X that he is already in preliminary talks for a boxing match with social media and WWE star, Logan Paul.

The Octagon return of the Irishman has been a huge talking point throughout the year and at one point, we were just weeks away from seeing him compete in the UFC once again during International Fight Week. He made the decision to withdraw from his comeback fight against Michael Chandler due to a toe injury and since then, it has been nothing but pushback.

This is especially true following the verdict from his recent civil sexual assault case where he was found guilty. Hearing any kind of fight news regarding the biggest star in the history of MMA seemed unlikely and though he’s not usually entirely truthful on social media, his word is that this boxing match will happen and after that, he will look to return to the UFC.

McGregor has of course competed inside the ring once before when he boxed Floyd Mayweather in 2017 and was stopped in the tenth round. Paul has also stepped through the ropes for an exhibition with Mayweather, two fights against KSI and one against Dillon Danis which was his latest outing back in October last year, giving him a pro record of 1-1 after beating comfortably beating McGregor’s former teammate.

Though the fight is yet to be confirmed, BetOnline are already offering betting odds on the contest and the current line is surprising to say the least. McGregor comes in as the underdog in the matchup at +120. Paul, on the other hand, comes in at a -150 favorite in odds that likely say more about the Irishman’s current public perception than the boxing ability of his opponent.

Conor McGregor Opens As Betting Underdog For Potential Logan Paul Boxing Match

Conor McGregor has not fought in over three years but according to a recent social media post from “The Notorious”, that is set to change in the near future. In one of the most unexpected announcements of the year, the former UFC champ-champ claimed on X that he is already in preliminary talks for a […]

Conor McGregor has not fought in over three years but according to a recent social media post from “The Notorious”, that is set to change in the near future. In one of the most unexpected announcements of the year, the former UFC champ-champ claimed on X that he is already in preliminary talks for a boxing match with social media and WWE star, Logan Paul.

The Octagon return of the Irishman has been a huge talking point throughout the year and at one point, we were just weeks away from seeing him compete in the UFC once again during International Fight Week. He made the decision to withdraw from his comeback fight against Michael Chandler due to a toe injury and since then, it has been nothing but pushback.

This is especially true following the verdict from his recent civil sexual assault case where he was found guilty. Hearing any kind of fight news regarding the biggest star in the history of MMA seemed unlikely and though he’s not usually entirely truthful on social media, his word is that this boxing match will happen and after that, he will look to return to the UFC.

McGregor has of course competed inside the ring once before when he boxed Floyd Mayweather in 2017 and was stopped in the tenth round. Paul has also stepped through the ropes for an exhibition with Mayweather, two fights against KSI and one against Dillon Danis which was his latest outing back in October last year, giving him a pro record of 1-1 after beating comfortably beating McGregor’s former teammate.

Though the fight is yet to be confirmed, BetOnline are already offering betting odds on the contest and the current line is surprising to say the least. McGregor comes in as the underdog in the matchup at +120. Paul, on the other hand, comes in at a -150 favorite in odds that likely say more about the Irishman’s current public perception than the boxing ability of his opponent.

Jake Paul Reacts To Conor McGregor Revealing Talks For Logan Paul Boxing Match: ‘Now It All Makes Sense…’

Should it come to fruition, Jake Paul has no doubt that his brother would get the better of former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor inside the boxing ring. At the end of a year in which he was found liable of assault on a woman who accused him of rape, McGregor’s combat sports future remains […]

Should it come to fruition, Jake Paul has no doubt that his brother would get the better of former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor inside the boxing ring.

At the end of a year in which he was found liable of assault on a woman who accused him of rape, McGregor’s combat sports future remains uncertain.

The Irishman hasn’t competed in any form since breaking his leg at UFC 264 in July 2021. Post-recovery, he initially had a return announced opposite Michael Chandler toward the start of 2023. But their run as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter, as well as multiple rumored and official fight dates, passed by without their matchup reaching the cage.

While that’s left many doubting McGregor’s comeback plans, the Dublin native has reiterated his intention of sharing the Octagon with Chandler ahead of 2025. A recent social media post, however, would suggest that’s not his immediate priority.

On X this week, “The Notorious” claimed he’s agreed to an exhibition boxing match against Logan Paul, put together by the billionaire Ambani family for an event in India.

Reacting to that revelation, Logan’s younger brother, fellow YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, alleged that McGregor’s team have also been attempting to negotiate a clash in the ring with him.

“Now it all makes sense why Conor Mcgregor & his management team have been desperately trying to get MVP to negotiate for a fight between us,” Paul wrote on X.

Paul continued, outlining what would need to happen for him to accept a showdown with the “washed” UFC star.

“As we told them them privately & I’m now saying it publicly…the only way we’re willing to explore me vs Conor in a pro boxing / mma fight is if Dana White / UFC are at the table directly or make it clear they are ok with discussions.

“Conor is washed. Needs the Paul’s. Logan by however he wants.”

It remains to be seen how much truth there is to McGregor’s post. Logan, who has recently thrived as a professional wrestler with WWE, is yet to comment on the claim.