• Conor McGregor celebrates his first round TKO victory against Donald Cerrone in a welterweight bout during UFC246 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in January. AFP
    Conor McGregor celebrates his first round TKO victory against Donald Cerrone in a welterweight bout during UFC246 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in January. AFP
  • Conor McGregor celebrates his win against Donald Cerrone. Reuters
    Conor McGregor celebrates his win against Donald Cerrone. Reuters
  • Conor McGregor hugs Donald Cerrone after his first round TKO victory in their welterweight bout during UFC246 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP
    Conor McGregor hugs Donald Cerrone after his first round TKO victory in their welterweight bout during UFC246 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP
  • Conor McGregor moves in for a hit against Donald Cerrone during UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Reuters
    Conor McGregor moves in for a hit against Donald Cerrone during UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Reuters
  • Conor McGregor fights Donald Cerrone in a welterweight bout during UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena. AFP
    Conor McGregor fights Donald Cerrone in a welterweight bout during UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena. AFP
  • Conor McGregor throws a right against Donald Cerrone in the first round in their welterweight bout during UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena. AFP
    Conor McGregor throws a right against Donald Cerrone in the first round in their welterweight bout during UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena. AFP
  • Conor McGregor lands a kick to the face of Donald Cerrone. AFP
    Conor McGregor lands a kick to the face of Donald Cerrone. AFP
  • Conor McGregor punches Donald Cerrone in a welterweight bout during UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena. AFP
    Conor McGregor punches Donald Cerrone in a welterweight bout during UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena. AFP
  • Donald Cerrone waits for the start of his welterweight bout against Conor McGregor. AFP
    Donald Cerrone waits for the start of his welterweight bout against Conor McGregor. AFP
  • Conor McGregor reacts before taking on Donald Cerrone in their welterweight bout during UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena. AFP
    Conor McGregor reacts before taking on Donald Cerrone in their welterweight bout during UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena. AFP

Other Sport

Manny Pacquiao 'will be fighting' UFC star Conor McGregor in the Middle East

Philippine boxing legend's camp confirm negotiations are underway

Dominic Hart

September 26, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao wants to fight Irish mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor in the Middle East next year, it was confirmed on Saturday.

"For the sake of all the Filipino Covid-19 victims, Senator Manny Pacquiao will be fighting UFC superstar Conor McGregor next year," Pacquiao's special assistant Jayke Joson said, adding negotiations are ongoing.

The fight could be staged in the Middle East after the coronavirus pandemic abates, the aide said, adding Pacquiao would donate a portion of his prize earnings to Filipino Covid-19 victims.

Pacquiao's promoter Sean Gibbons earlier told AFP in Los Angeles that the eight-division world champion was mulling a possible comeback fight with McGregor, though the two camps were a "long way" from agreement.

Earlier Friday, McGregor, 32, said on Twitter he was "boxing Manny Pacquiao next in the Middle East."

"It will be a true honour to have faced two of the greatest boxers of the modern era," McGregor added.

Pacquiao, 41, has not fought since claiming the WBA welterweight crown with a stunning victory over Keith Thurman in Las Vegas in July last year.

A bout against McGregor, who faced welterweight king Floyd Mayweather in a money-spinning 2017 fight, would guarantee Pacquiao another lucrative payday as he nears the end of an illustrious boxing career.

"Our lawyers are finalising all the confidential details, but both fighters are getting ready for this one epic last boxing fight," Joson said.

Conor McGregor could fight Manny Pacquiao in the Middle East next year. AFP
Conor McGregor could fight Manny Pacquiao in the Middle East next year. AFP

Pacquiao has successfully combined a political career in the Philippines, where he is an elected senator, while continuing to box at the highest level.

"His main focus right now is to help here and there, providing relief, shelter, money and food, among other necessities," Joson said.

McGregor's last fight was a win over Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 in January, which gave him a 22-4 record in mixed martial arts.

When Pacquiao went to Dubai

  • Manny Pacquiao sits on the bench during the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League's 'Dubai Invasion 2019' event at Hamdan Sports Complex in Dubai. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Manny Pacquiao sits on the bench during the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League's 'Dubai Invasion 2019' event at Hamdan Sports Complex in Dubai. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Manny Pacquiao poses for pictures after the All Star game.
    Manny Pacquiao poses for pictures after the All Star game.
  • Manny Pacquiao sits on the bench during the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League's 'Dubai Invasion 2019' event at Hamdan Sports Complex in Dubai.
    Manny Pacquiao sits on the bench during the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League's 'Dubai Invasion 2019' event at Hamdan Sports Complex in Dubai.
  • Manny Pacquiao stands for the national anthem of the Philippines.
    Manny Pacquiao stands for the national anthem of the Philippines.
  • Manny Pacquiao high fives players.
    Manny Pacquiao high fives players.
  • Manny Pacquiao high fives players.
    Manny Pacquiao high fives players.
  • Fans at the Hamdan Sports Complex in Dubai.
    Fans at the Hamdan Sports Complex in Dubai.
  • Manny Pacquiao in action.
    Manny Pacquiao in action.
  • Manny Pacquiao takes a shot.
    Manny Pacquiao takes a shot.
  • Manny Pacquiao in action.
    Manny Pacquiao in action.
  • Manny Pacquiao in action.
    Manny Pacquiao in action.
  • Manny Pacquiao takes a shot.
    Manny Pacquiao takes a shot.
  • Manny Pacquiao in action.
    Manny Pacquiao in action.
  • Fans at the Hamdan Sports Complex cheer a point.
    Fans at the Hamdan Sports Complex cheer a point.
  • General view of the basketball court.
    General view of the basketball court.
  • Manny Pacquiao takes a time out.
    Manny Pacquiao takes a time out.
  • Manny Pacquiao poses with fans.
    Manny Pacquiao poses with fans.
  • Manny Pacquiao in action.
    Manny Pacquiao in action.
  • Manny Pacquiao takes a shot.
    Manny Pacquiao takes a shot.
  • Manny Pacquiao in action.
    Manny Pacquiao in action.
  • Manny Pacquiao's wife, Jinkee, watches on.
    Manny Pacquiao's wife, Jinkee, watches on.
  • Manny Pacquiao in action.
    Manny Pacquiao in action.
  • Manny Pacquiao in action.
    Manny Pacquiao in action.
  • Manny Pacquiao in action.
    Manny Pacquiao in action.
  • Manny Pacquiao instructs his teammates.
    Manny Pacquiao instructs his teammates.
  • A general view of the action.
    A general view of the action.
  • Manny Pacquiao celebrates.
    Manny Pacquiao celebrates.
  • Manny Pacquiao takes a shot.
    Manny Pacquiao takes a shot.
UFC