Conor McGregor wants to tussle with legendary pugilist Manny Pacquiao.
As rumors continue to swirl about the Irishman’s long-awaited return to the Octagon, McGregor was on hand in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the loaded ‘Day of Reckoning‘ boxing card on Saturday. Seated next to iconic footballer Cristiano Ronaldo for the bulk of the evening, the pair were eventually paid a visit by the man whose deep pockets were funding the entire evening, His Excellency Turki Al-Sheikh.
It didn’t take long for McGregor to go into full ‘Maniac Mac’ mode, lobbying for a fight with Pacquiao and trying to dip his hands into those deep Saudi pockets.
While cameras caught McGregor’s interaction with His Excellency, the hot mic only picked up a taste of what ‘Mystic Mac’ had to say about the Filipino boxing star. The Irishman suggested that Pacquiao “grow a set of balls” and move up a weight class to fight him. “Is he a man or a mouse?!,” McGregor added.
Conor McGregor echoed similar sentiments in a more formal interview with IFL TV.
“How about me vs. Manny here in Saudi,” McGregor said. “How does that sound? Now, wouldn’t you think Manny should have to come up to my weight? Considering it’s his sport. Would you think that’s what a man would do versus what a mouse would do?
He continued, “Money talks? Well, Manny already owes me eight million via court of law cause he was signed to my management company and then didn’t honor his deal.”
Book it for 300.pic.twitter.com/smcpjRCYJv
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) December 23, 2023
McGregor has been taking regular digs at ‘Pacman’ after Pacquiao was ordered to pay $5.1 million to Paradigm Sports, McGregor’s management firm, following a breach of contract lawsuit. He is also on the hook for another $2 million in lawyer fees, moving the total closer to the $8 million McGregor mentioned.
Perhaps the most entertaining moment of the whole interaction was the clear look of contempt on Cristiano Ronaldo’s face as McGregor tried to make his case for a fight with Pacquaio to His Excellency.
Cristiano Ronaldo is thrilled to be sitting next to Conor McGregor 💀 pic.twitter.com/eidQs0ti7u
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) December 23, 2023
MMA Twitter and various fight forums have already been flooded with memes from the awkward interaction that is sure to keep fans entertained for years to come.
Transcription by MMA Mania.
