Many credit Conor McGregor for starting the trend of crossover fighting after he fought Floyd Mayweather in 2017. And he was in Saudi Arabia to attend the Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou super-fight. Ngannou lost a close, controversial one-point decision to Fury on his boxing debut, shocking the combat sports world. However, that is not the only surprising news relating to a crossover fight to come out of Saudi Arabia yesterday.

Conor McGregor and Manny Pacquiao, who had been involved in a court battle recently, were in Saudi Arabia for the super-fight, and ‘Mac’ may have another chance to pull a Francis Ngannou.

McGregor optimistic about a potential boxing match against Manny Pacquiao

Paradigm Sports Management, who manages Conor McGregor, won a breach of contract lawsuit against Pacquiao for $5.1 million plus lawyer fees in May this year. But, on the Saudi trip, McGregor and Pacquiao were seen together sharing the same sofa. McGregor has revealed that members of the Saudi royal Al-Saud family acted as mediators between the two.

“His Highness put us, put myself and Manny to get in between. His Excellency and we were kind of chatting and having a little buzz. It seems like the way it’s going myself and Manny were close to at one stage. It was like really deep ongoing negotiation, so let’s see.”

This, according to ‘Notorious’, had resurrected hopes of him making his second boxing appearance against Manny Pacquiao soon. But, at this point, that fight is just a hypothetical. What McGregor did promise was a return to the octagon soon.

Conor McGregor is aiming for UFC comeback in April

The former two-weight division champion was also asked about his UFC comeback. McGregor said that he would prefer a return in April. McGregor last fought over two years ago against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. Although he would have liked it to be earlier, he wants to train hard before he faces his TUF 31 rival coach, Michael Chandler.

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“It’s octagon and, you know, April, they’re saying April now. I’m happy with April. I would have [liked it to be] earlier, but I have to be honest and realistic. And for my fans, I want to put in a good run, you know. Build myself back and that’s it. It’s looking like [an] April [return] in mixed martial arts,” he said.

Saudi Arabia is trying to promote itself as a major sports tourism hub, and a Pacquiao vs. McGregor fight in Saudi would be a boost to its reputation as a combat sports hub. Would you prefer to see the two greats take to the squared circle? Or would you rather see ‘The Notorious’ back in the UFC? Let us know in the comments.

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