Things are beginning to sound serious between Logan Paul and Conor McGregor. More details about the proposed boxing match in India have been revealed, per Misfits Boxing News.
According to reports, the UFC is involved in the negotiations for the fight, and the sides are targeting April. Having the UFC involved was key for things to move to the next level.
McGregor still has two fights remaining on his contract, and the UFC could block his involvement. Many had speculated that if the fight was going to happen, it would need the blessing of TKO Holdings and UFC President Dana White.
If the reports from Misfit are true, it sounds like the concept has gotten the requisite thumbs-up to, at the very least, progress past the introductory stage. The concept is likely helped by Paul’s contract with WWE, which is also under the TKO umbrella.
White previously OK’d McGregor’s crossover boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2017 but has hesitated to get back into cross-promotion in other situations.
However, because Paul is associated with TKO, it wouldn’t be as much of a stark cross-promotion as McGregor-Mayweather. Because of the connection and the WWE’s strong presence and following in India, it wouldn’t be a shock to see a TKO takeover weekend.
Could we be headed toward a weekend that sees a WWE event, UFC card, and the Logan Paul vs. Conor McGregor boxing match happen over the course of three days?
White hasn’t wanted to blend his business with WWE in the past, but as a one-off, it’s tough to imagine a more appropriate exception to make from a pure business standpoint.
People asking for White to allow Jon Jones to fight Francis Ngannou are a bit delusional. Is it an all-time great fight that would captivate fans across the globe? Yes. Would I personally love to see it? You bet. However, businessmen and women aren’t interested in seeing fan fantasy fights play out unless they stand to gain from it.
The Professional Fighters League would naturally jump at the chance to have Ngannou fight Jones. If their guy wins, they level up in a major way. The UFC is already No. 1. Even if Jones lost, the UFC would still be No. 1, but it would legitimize the PFL a bit more in fans’ eyes.
Allowing Jones to fight Ngannou is simply giving the No. 2 promotion an opportunity to close the gap. Jones’ legacy may grow, but it does nothing for the UFC. Why would anyone running the UFC, in its current position allow that?
Having McGregor fight Paul in an exhibition boxing match doesn’t harm the UFC or give any sort of edge to a competitor. Having so many sports and entertainment companies connected makes that kind of weekend feasible.
The Albani Family, who is said to be interested in funding the event for a national tourism campaign, could be delivering one of the more memorable weekends of combat sports and professional wrestling—if my wild speculative concept lands.
I expect to hear info on this being finalized or killed before the end of January.
