Jake Paul has backed his brother to defeat Conor McGregor in comfortable fashion after the UFC legend dropped a bombshell this morning.
McGregor told fans on social media that he was in talks for a fight with Logan Paul in a boxing match before his UFC return. The bout, which he says he has agreed to, would take place in India and funding would come from the billionaire Ambani family.
Since they made their debuts in the boxing ring, Logan and Jake Paul have both been angling for a fight with McGregor. Last year, the elder sibling won every single round on route to a six-round DQ win over the Irishman’s close friend Dillon Danis.
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Conor McGregor announces plan to fight Logan Paul in India
This morning during a lengthy tweeting spree, Conor McGregor dropped news that he is planning to make his return to the boxing ring against Logan Paul. He hasn’t competed as a professional in the sport since a 2017 showdown with Floyd Mayweather, but continues to train regularly.
There had been talks before coronavirus lockdowns of a clash with Manny Pacquiao, and he has also competed in a number of surprise exhibitions at Crumlin Boxing Club’s annual events. And most recently reports claimed that he may face UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria in a super-fight.
However, he dampened those rumors, writing on X in viral tweet: “The rumors of a bout with Topuria are false. I am in preliminary agreements with the Ambani family to face Logan Paul in a boxing exhibition in India. I have agreed. I will then seek my return to the Octagon.”
Conor McGregor’s UFC contract status under question amid Logan Paul fight announcement
McGregor is famously under a lucrative contract with the UFC, and would need the promotion’s approval for a crossover fight. He was granted that in 2017, but circumstances surrounding the Mayweather bout were very different.
At the time, he had just fought four times in 11 months, winning two world titles and breaking pay-per-view and gate records with every next appearance. He is currently almost four years out of action, and pulled out of his planned return to the octagon against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June.
He is believed to have two fights left under his current deal, with the first of those two expected to take place towards the end of next year. There is also the matter of his ownership stake in BKFC, where he has been a key factor in recent promotion.
However, there may be some credence to his claims given Paul’s close ties to the UFC. While Jake Paul and Dana White have a bitter feud, Logan’s drink company Prime is a major sponsor for the promotion and he has regularly been spotted hanging out with White.
Jake Paul reacts to Logan Paul vs Conor McGregor news
While Logan has remained quiet on social media since the announcement, his brother Jake has now made a lengthy statement. In typical fashion for the siblings, he has claimed that initial talks were for him to face McGregor.
However, he claims, his team wanted to negotiate directly with Dana White and the UFC instead of McGregor’s own personal outfit. He also backed his brother to defeat McGregor by any method he chooses, branding the former two-weight world champion ‘washed’.
“Now it all makes sense why Conor McGregor and his management team have been desperately trying to get MVP to negotiate for a fight between us,” he wrote on X to his 4.7million followers this evening.
“As we told them them privately & I’m now saying it publicly… The only way we’re willing to explore me vs Conor in a pro boxing / mma fight is if Dana White / UFC are at the table directly or make it clear they are ok with discussions. Conor is washed. Needs the Paul’s. Logan by however he wants.”
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