Conor McGregor and Logan Paul will not be squaring off in the ring after all, despite McGregor previously teasing the possibility of a matchup in India. The UFC superstar had claimed to be in preliminary talks for a fight with Paul, branding it as a battle for the “TKO King” title—a nod to the TKO Group, the parent company of both WWE and UFC.
McGregor had taken to social media to hype the potential clash, stating, “TKO Group! UFC vs WWE. There are levels to this, a big, sloppy novice is going to find out! TKO KING TITLE #BiggestGenerator #KingofNumbers #Streams #PPV I hold every record, and I am coming back to KO this novice and rack in more numbers for the company. #StockMarketIndia #MyHighestPayPacketYet #Thanksforthecheese.” The fight would have marked a major crossover event under the TKO umbrella, capitalizing on the growing WWE and UFC partnership and expanding into the booming Indian market.
However, McGregor recently revealed in an interview with The Schmo that the UFC ultimately shut down the idea. McGregor explained that, as a contracted UFC fighter, he needs the promotion’s approval for any bouts outside the Octagon, and they were unwilling to greenlight the proposed fight with Paul.
“It is what it is,” McGregor said. “The UFC just aren’t into it. I had the offer on the table in writing. Both athletes under the TKO banner, UFC and WWE both rising up. You know, the stock price of TKO Holding Group is through the roof. A new market in India opened up and is booming. It was the business-savvy and business-sense thing to make the fight happen—or should I say the glorified spar happen—in between this waiting period before I can get back to the Octagon. It made perfect sense on the calendar to go ahead with. I’m not sure what the WWE’s interest in it was. I just knew the UFC weren’t into it.”
Logan Paul, who hasn’t competed in a boxing match since his disqualification win over Dillon Danis, has not commented further on the canceled plans. For now, McGregor’s focus appears to remain on his eventual return to the UFC Octagon.
