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Sometimes all it takes is one social media post from Conor McGregor to send the combat sports world into a frenzy, as it did on Tuesday when the UFC’s biggest star announced he had agreed to an exhibition boxing match against Logan Paul.
What? This certainly came out of nowhere.
At least part of the motivation for McGregor’s late-night X-post (in the US) was to quell rumors of a UFC fight against featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. McGregor’s post also hinted that India’s extremely wealthy Ambani family will be organizing the event.
The rumors of a fight with Topurio are false. I have made tentative arrangements with the Ambani family to face Logan Paul in a boxing competition in India.
I agreed.
I will then aim for my return to the octagon.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 17, 2024
How seriously should fight fans take McGregor’s claim? We know that.
Did Dana White anger McGregor against Paul?
Last Saturday, Dana White spoke to reporters after UFC on ESPN 63 and was asked about the UFC’s plans for 2025 after another successful year. And while he gave a lengthy answer, the UFC boss teased something big and hinted that it would be a surprise.
“I have something in the works right now. I’m going to drive you motherfuckers crazy, you’re all going to run around,” White told reporters, including MMA Junkie. “I have something in the works that you will never fucking see for 2025 that literally started coming together last night.”
A person familiar with the situation confirmed to MMA Junkie that the idea of a fight between McGregor and Paul was brought to White’s attention last Friday, although it is unclear who attended that meeting.
Why McGregor vs. Paul could be real
While a potential fight between McGregor and Paul seems unusual, it could make sense given their affiliation.
Since McGregor is signed to UFC and Paul is tied to WWE, both men are under the TKO umbrella. It stands to reason that the fight could well bear fruit if TKO executives want to stage a crossover event with McGregor vs. Paul.
Also favorable for the fight is the fact that Paul is already one of the UFC’s business partners thanks to his Prime Energy Drink.
Jake Paul weighs in on a possible fight between McGregor and his brother
While White has feuded with Logan’s brother Jake Paul for years over fighter pay, he has had nothing but praise for Logan, calling him “fucking brilliant” in 2023.
Jake, who has repeatedly criticized McGregor during his meteoric rise from YouTuber to professional boxer, raised the possibility of McGregor facing his brother on
Now it all makes sense why Conor Mcgregor and his management team were desperately trying to get MVP to negotiate a fight between us.
As we told them privately and I’m saying it publicly now…the only way we’re willing to explore me versus Conor in a pro boxing/MMA fight…
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) December 17, 2024
Who is the Ambani family and why should they be involved?
Mukesh Ambani, patriarch of the Ambani family, is an Indian businessman and one of the richest people in the world with an estimated net worth of $121 billion, Business Insider reported earlier this year. His company, Reliance Industries, operates in a variety of industries – including energy, natural gas, telecommunications and more.
Given that Ambani has not promoted or invested in combat sports in the past, it’s unclear why he would support McGregor vs. Paul. However, his company has ties to the entertainment industry – and a McGregor vs. Paul event would certainly attract mainstream interest similar, if not beyond, to the Netflix event last November that pitted Jake Paul against Mike Tyson was at the top.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Conor McGregor vs. Logan Paul? Really? We know that
