- Conor McGregor claimed there were talks over a potential two-fight deal
- The deal would have included Terence Crawford stepping in the Octagon
- That would have been followed off with a fight inside the boxing ring
Conor McGregor has revealed that he previously held talks over a two-fight deal to face undefeated boxer Terence Crawford.
The UFC superstar last fought in July 2021, losing to Dustin Poirier in his trilogy bout at UFC 264 and suffering a broken leg.
His much-anticipated octagon comeback against Michael Chandler in June was scuppered after he broke a toe in his left foot in training, but it is hoped he will make a return in 2025.
Crawford meanwhile has held multiple world championships in four weight classes and extended his unbeaten record to 41-0 inside a boxing ring when he beat Israil Madrimov via unanimous decision back in August.
McGregor on a livestream with Duelbits, has revealed he held talks over a two-fight deal with Crawford – one inside the octagon followed by a boxing clash – but reveals the American ‘didn’t want to get kicked’ by the UFC star inside the octagon.
‘Crawford is very slick. He also has a wrestling pedigree,’ he told Duelbits.
‘You know, they are always talking to me about belts, I’ve already boxed a boxer. The boxer in MMA is me.’
He added: ‘We’re talking back and forth like a two-fight deal, he rings up Crawford in front of me.
‘I said ‘Crawford they’re talking here about you and me two fight deal, MMA first, boxing second’.
‘I said ‘I know you’ve got an extensive background and balls the size of a Bengali tiger. They’re asking for a fight.
‘It’s going to be hundreds of millions on the line what’s up?’ And he goes ‘I don’t want to take a kick off Conor McGregor‘ – so you’ve got to respect that.’
Crawford, has previously stated that he would be willing to enter the UFC octagon for an MMA clash with McGregor.
He told TMZ Sports in 2020: ‘Conor is a big talent in the octagon and I’m a big talent in the boxing ring. Money talks. They put that money up, yeah I’ll go over there and fight him.’
McGregor, 36, originally targeted a date in December for his first showdown back but UFC CEO Dana White has revealed the Irishman will not fight until early 2025.
Ahead of of Anthony Joshua’s IBF heavyweight title fight defeat to Daniel Dubois, McGregor demanded that he gets two fights next year.
Speaking to DAZN, McGregor said: ‘It will be 2025. We will see. My opponent that I had scheduled… it is what it is. I take it on board and rock on.
‘My job is to go to the gym and be in shape. Whenever it is and wherever it is. I will be 100 per cent ready. I must get two fights in 2025. It’s the promised land.
‘Who knows (who the next opponent will be). It does not matter. Whoever, let’s see. I like it to be Chandler. I wish him well and see where it goes.’
