We can officially remove the “rumor” tag from the Logan Paul vs. Conor McGregor boxing match story—it’s a real thing that both sides want.
The major impediment appears to be the UFC’s reluctance to allow McGregor to participate. Since McGregor is under contract for two more fights with the UFC, he is unable to compete in any combat sports event outside of the Octagon.
That said, Paul is doing his best to make it happen.
In a video on Paul’s YouTube channel, he candidly tells a WWE writer that he wants to participate in the “epic fight” with the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion.
“If Conor McGregor wants to fight, we are running it,” Paul said to WWE writer Rob Fee. “It’s an epic fight. It would be something I would step away from WWE for a second to go do. $250 million, Rob. $250 million, Rob. I have to take that. Unless Nick Khan matches that, I’ll stay in the WWE. I think he’s trying to pressure Dana [White] into making it happen because he’s owned by the UFC. Like, he can’t do f****** s***, let alone fight without them knowing.”
In that clip, Paul seemingly confirms the reported payday for the proposed fight set in India and his willingness to participate. Paul even included a soundbite from McGregor saying, “This can happen, my man, for real. This can and will happen.”
Later in the video blog, during Raw’s Netflix debut, Paul ran into Ari Emanuel—CEO of Endeavor, the company that owns TKO (UFC and WWE)—and asked him to greenlight the fight between the two.
“Ari, Ari,” Paul said, calling his attention. “I need one favor from you. I need you to greenlight me vs. Conor. No, but seriously.”
Is Paul attempting to go over UFC President Dana White’s head or gauging interest for the pitch?
Here is a look at the entire video; it’s titled “Am I Fighting Conor McGregor?”
The video garnered more than 250,000 views in its first seven hours. What’s even more hilarious is that the thumbnail is an AI-generated image of the two men in a faceoff with the flag of India in the background.
Paul is committed to being a full-time WWE superstar. This means appearing on Raw most Mondays and wrestling at most premium live events. If he is to maintain that schedule, it would be challenging for him to train to fight McGregor.
If it happens, the fight will be an exhibition boxing match, and for all intents and purposes, it will likely be one of the most lucrative sporting events ever.
Logically, the fight has a good chance of happening.
Since Paul and McGregor are under contract with promotions under the TKO umbrella, Endeavor stands to benefit if it happens. Even though UFC President Dana White insists McGregor will return to the Octagon in 2025, there are legitimate doubts, considering McGregor has his share of distractions.
A fight with Paul might be TKO’s best chance to capitalize on McGregor’s fame and drawing power. If McGregor does return to the Octagon, whatever happens in the boxing match will likely add intrigue to his next UFC fight.
WWE also stands to gain because Paul’s participation in a fight with McGregor only raises his profile for when he returns to sports entertainment. Several storylines could be built around an exhibition match with McGregor.
Overall, it’s a spectacle that’s hard to imagine—but so is much of what we’ve begun to see in combat sports and professional wrestling.
Let’s see what happens.
