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UFC president shoots down Pacquiao vs McGregor: Conor is retired for 2020


Fans may want to manage their expectations about possibly seeing a showdown between eight-division boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and former UFC featherweight and lightweight world champion Conor McGregor.

McGregor, 32, tweeted a cryptic message last weekend in Tagalog saying “I accept” that left many to believe that he may be heading toward a fight with the Filipino boxing icon.

But in an interview with Barstool Sports, UFC president Dana White was quick to shoot down any hype surrounding the prospective fight, stating that the Irish mixed martial arts superstar was done fighting for the whole year.

“This year he’s retired. He doesn’t have a fight this year and he won’t have a fight this year. Conor McGregor will not fight in 2020,” said Dana White, who was part of the negotiations when McGregor fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2017.

“I’m not saying he won’t fight in 2021, but I’m telling you we don’t have a fight planned for him in 2021. But I guarantee you he will not fight in 2020. Conor McGregor is retired.”

Earlier this year, Pacquiao joined the same management firm that McGregor is signed with, making people believe that Pacquiao vs McGregor is more possible than ever.

White shared that he had been bombarded with questions about McGregor fighting Pacquiao ever since the Irish posted the Tagalog tweet. White is firm, Pacquiao vs McGregor is not happening anytime soon.

“So everybody keeps asking questions about him, and I’m like, Manny Pacquiao? What the f*** are you talking about,” White stressed.

“He sends one tweet that says ‘I accept' and it’s right after Khamzat [Chimaev] calls him out and two other guys. I’m not focused on anything with anybody who’s not fighting. Conor McGregor is retired.”

But is he retired for good? White does not believe so.

“Do we all believe he’ll stay retired? I think most of us don’t believe that he’ll remain retired, but let me put it to you this way,” he stated.

“I owe fighters that are under contract with me three fights a year. If I don’t deliver those three fights a year, I have to pay them. Conor McGregor is retired, whether people want to believe it or not.” – JM Siasat/RC, GMA News

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