Conor McGregor deals a blow to Jake Paul fight hopes with update on UFC future

Paul has been calling for a fight against McGregor since taking up boxing seriously but the UFC legend won't be back in the ring anytime soon

By: irishmirror.ie

May 23 2024
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Conor McGregor deals a blow to

Conor McGregor's assessment on his UFC future has ruled him out of fighting Jake Paul.

The UFC legend is making his return to the octagon for the first time in almost three years when he faces Michael Chandler on June 29 in Las Vegas. McGregor will have just one fight left on his UFC contract after facing Chandler, but expects to renegotiate a new deal with the promotion.

"UFC is my heart and my soul, I love the company dearly. I am in contract negotiation stages with them now, it's all going well. We have the height of respect for each other, McGregor Sports and Entertainment and the UFC have done incredible business and there is deep respect and a deep bond. Let's see what the future holds," he told TheMacLife.

Paul has been calling for a fight against McGregor since ditching his internet fame for a career in the ring. The Irishman has refused to pay attention to many of Paul's callouts but has voiced his distaste for the influencer's upcoming fight against boxing legend Mike Tyson.

"For me, it does set a bad precedent in the industry," McGregor told SiriusXM. "What you've got now is - and I would say this to the young athletes coming up, men and women.

"Don't aspire to be one of these YouTube fighters. Aspire for world titles. Aspire for [the Olympics]. That is how you etch your name in history, doing these little smash-and-grab fights, you might get a few likes, but there's nothing substantial to it.

"It's hollow. It can be profitable, but it's hollow. I'm noticing a trend in young fighters coming up that are not even interested in competing in the amateur scene or rising up to win a national title.

"You need the gold on the waist. You need to etch your name on the belt."

McGregor wants to fight twice more after facing Chandler this summer, teasing a trilogy fight against Nate Diaz in September and boxing match against Manny Pacquiao in December. The Irishman would likely be unable to compete in boxing unless he is pardoned of his UFC contractual duties as he was for facing Floyd Mayweather in their 2017 mega-fight.