Amid claims that Manny Pacquiao has agreed to fight Ryan Garcia in his next bout, his longtime rumored rival Conor McGregor says he remains open to a matchup with the welterweight.
McGregor suffered a surprise but convincing defeat to Dustin Poirier on Fight Island at Saturday's UFC 257, in a loss that threatens to derail the Irishman's plans for his career.
Speaking after the upset at his UFC 257 post-fight press conference, McGregor suggested that a fight with Pacquiao had been more or less agreed - and it had been talked about in such terms by the senator's camp already - and that he would be keen to still set up a fight.
“There’s none of those leg kicks in boxing, but I always did want to focus on my MMA career," McGregor said. "But I’m also open. I don’t know what will happen.
“That Manny fight was happening, it was as good as done. I just want to get in and get back into a bounce, especially against that style of fighter, and not take those kicks.”
That is perhaps no surprise given the amount of money that a McGregor-Pacquiao pay-per-view show could earn both fighters. From McGregor’s point of view, he suggested that facing a boxing might be a useful change of pace.
It is unknown who McGregor will take on next in his Octagon return. Trilogies with Poirer and Nate Diaz are on the table along with other bouts in the lightweight division. Time will only tell.