Conor McGregor has revealed plans to delay his potential exhibition bouts against internet personalities like Logan Paul and KSI until well after his prime fighting years are behind him. Currently preparing for a UFC comeback aimed at capturing an unprecedented third welterweight title, McGregor is set to begin this campaign at the UFC White House in June, with Islam Makhachev as a future target.
Last year, McGregor was focused on staging spectacle matchups, including a proposed $500 million fight involving Jake Paul, his brother. While that deal fell through, McGregor remains interested in those types of fights but would prefer to pursue them later in life, similar to how heavyweight legend Mike Tyson has recently taken on celebrity bouts in his late 50s.
Although a fight with Logan Paul never came to fruition given Paul’s WWE commitments, McGregor expressed frustration over missing what he called a “sweet deal” for the bout when speaking to Bloody Elbow in Dublin earlier this month. He acknowledged that while he is currently aiming for serious title glory, the show fights with personalities like Paul and KSI are still on the horizon as side ventures, or “nixers,” for after his competitive peak.
Highlighting Tyson as an inspiration, McGregor emphasized the importance of focusing on genuine competitive fights now before transitioning to celebrity matchups later, noting Tyson’s impressive condition even at 58 as a motivating example.
Fan Take: This news is exciting for fight fans as it confirms McGregor is back with serious ambitions to reclaim UFC glory, ensuring high-level competition remains a priority. At the same time, his openness to future celebrity bouts reflects the growing crossover appeal in combat sports, which could bring fresh audiences and new entertainment dynamics to the sport.
