ESPN Thinks Paulie’s Exit From Team McGregor Nothing But a Promotion

On ESPN’s First Take, Max Kellerman claimed that the drama between UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor and Paulie Malignaggi is just for promotion.

On Thursday, Malignaggi announced that he was leaving McGregor’s training camp after photos had been leaked of himself sparring with McGregor.

Malignaggi had traveled to Las Vegas to help McGregor prepare for his first professional boxing match.

This week, photos were released of McGregor landing shots on Malignaggi. One photo even featured Malignaggi on the ground with McGregor standing over him.

Malignaggi thought McGregor’s camp releasing the photos was unethical and decided to no longer train with the UFC champion.

In the video below, you can listen to Kellerman talk about why this whole situation was staged in order to make McGregor look like more of a threat inside the boxing ring.

McGregor will make his professional boxing debut when he fights Floyd “Money” Mayweather on Aug. 26 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.