The combat sports world was put on it’s head this week, when boxing great Manny Pacquiao revealed that he is in negotiations with UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor for a pending boxing match targeted for April of 2018. Now, UFC President Dana White is saying that if negotiations are taking place, Manny Pacquiao and his representatives are about to get sued.
Taking to the post-fight festivities in Fresno, following Saturday’s Swanson vs. Ortega event, the UFC boss stated, “That would be weird, because he’s under contract with us. If that’s true, I’ll be suing Manny Pacquiao and whoever’s representing him.”
Pacquiao, a senator in his native Philippines, was asked on Friday if he had approached McGregor’s representatives about a fight.
“Initially,” Pacquiao said. “But we have not yet had any follow-up conversations.
“If we can negotiate it, I have no problem. It is OK with both of us.”
Last month, Pacquiao took to social media with a message that appeared to hint at a match with McGregor:
“Happy Thanksgiving! Stay fit my friend. #realboxingmatch #2018 @thenotoriousmma.”
Conor McGregor released on Thursday, stating he may return to Boxing, not MMA, but plans to indeed fight in 2018.
In his statement, McGregor stated, “My focus is getting back into the right ring or octagon. 2017 was historic.” McGregor said of his wild 2017. “I have transcended both the sport of MMA and boxing.”
“At this stage of my career, as it has been for the majority of my UFC career, potential opponents must lobby for fights with me.We could see Conor McGregor anywhere. I run the fight game, the fashion game, the whiskey game, or whatever the next business endeavour might be.
“I have every intention of fighting in 2018 if my compensation and business development endeavours accurately reflect my influence on combat sports.”
So, while everything seems to currently be in the preliminary phases of negotiations, apparently Dana White is not cool with anyone talking to his biggest star without him. Watch out boxing world! Go through Dana or face getting slapped with a nasty lawsuit from the combat world’s most powerful man.
