Conor McGregor sets out demands for Manny Pacquiao fight as star hits out at UFC

24 December 2023 , 15:27

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Conor McGregor is eager to get back into the octagon (Image: Getty Images)

Conor McGregor has revealed he has held talks over Manny Pacquiao as the UFC stalls on announcing his comeback fight.

McGregor has not fought since he broke his leg in his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. He had been expected to face Michael Chandler last December but the fight was delayed due to the Irishman not being in the drug-testing pool. The clash was then expected to headline UFC 300 in April but UFC CEO Dana White insists McGregor won't return until the summer.

And the Dubliner expressed his frustration while ringside for Anthony Joshua's win over Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night. “Get me back in there,” McGregor told talkSPORT. “The Mac has lots to offer and loads to deliver. They are talking Manny here in Saudi. The lads in the UFC aren’t really talking any. So, the lads here are talking Manny, the UFC aren’t talking any.

"Give me something. I’m supposed to be back in April. It was supposed to be December! For all the figures I’ve brought in this game, I sell more than all of them combined. No one in the history of the fight game has been treated the way I’ve been getting treated at this minute. From what I came through, to what I bring. They f****** should open the floodgates for me. I’m waiting! And my patience is wearing thin on me waiting."

McGregor's only professional boxing fight was a stoppage defeat by ring legend Floyd Mayweather in 2017, a fight which earned him close to £100million. He has long flirted with a fight with Pacquiao who retired two years ago following a stellar career in which he won world titles in eight weight divisions.

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Conor McGregor has revealed he has held talks with Manny Pacquiao (Getty Images)

And he was also called out by McGregor as the two-weight champion sat next to Cristiano Ronaldo at ringside. "Tell Manny to grow a set of balls and fight me at a higher weight class,” McGregor said. “Why not? It’s his sport. If he wants me to come down to a smaller weight, I should be able to use more of my weapons.

"I should be able to kick. I should be able to grapple. Shouldn’t that be fair? … Say it to him. Is he a man or a mouse? Is Manny a man or a mouse?”

Martin Domin