Conor McGregor says he plans to fight Logan Paul in boxing ring
Connor McGregor wants to step outside his comfort zone for his return to the fight game.
In a post on X on Tuesday, the Irish MMA star said he intends to fight YouTuber-turned-WWE-star Logan Paul in a boxing exhibition in India.
The former UFC champ has not fought since he broke his leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier in 2021. His scheduled return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June was called off because of an injured foot.
"The rumours of a bout with (Ilia Topuria) are false. I am in preliminary agreements with the Ambani family to face Logan Paul in a boxing exhibition in India," McGregor said. "I have agreed. I will then seek my return to the Octagon."
Mukesh Ambani was ranked first by Forbes on the publication's October list of richest people in India but is not known for promoting boxing events.
McGregor, 36, remains under contract with the UFC.
In this hypothetical matchup, however, McGregor and Paul would actually share one common opponent despite neither being boxers by trade.
McGregor's lone professional boxing bout was a loss in 2017 against Floyd Mayweather Jr., which ended in a 10th-round technical knockout defeat.
Paul is 1-1 in pro bouts with two draws in amateur and exhibition matches, one of which was an eight-round draw against Mayweather.
Paul's brother, Jake Paul, is the more accomplished boxer and someone who has exchanged trash talk online with McGregor.
Jake Paul, who recently defeated Mike Tyson is a blockbuster bout that aired globally on Netflix, reacted to McGregor's social media post Tuesday, suggesting the UFC star is ultimately hoping for a match with him
"Now it all makes sense why Conor Mcgregor (sic) & his management team have been desperately trying to get MVP to negotiate for a fight between us," Jake Paul wrote. "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 (sic) 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 (sic). Logan by however he wants."
McGregor is also dealing with the fallout of a recent civil jury decision that left him liable for an alleged 2018 assault.