MCGREGOR TO FACE LOGAN PAUL IN INDIA, UFC RETURN ON HOLD

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The next chapter in Conor McGregor's combat sports career is taking an unexpected turn. The former UFC champion confirmed on social media that he's in talks for a boxing exhibition match against Logan Paul in India, working with the Ambani family to organize the event.

McGregor dismissed speculation about a potential fight with UFC featherweight Ilia Topuria, writing on X: "The rumors of a bout with Topuria are false. I am in preliminary agreements with the Ambani family to face Logan Paul in a boxing exhibition in India. I have agreed. I will then seek my return to the Octagon."

The Irish fighter's last appearance in combat sports was in July 2021, when he suffered a leg fracture during his loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. A planned comeback against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 fell through after McGregor withdrew citing a foot injury.

McGregor's boxing experience consists of a single professional bout – his 2017 match against Floyd Mayweather Jr., which ended in a tenth-round TKO loss. The event drew 4.3 million pay-per-view buys in North America alone.

Paul, who currently holds the WWE United States Championship, brings limited boxing experience to the matchup. His record includes exhibition bouts against Floyd Mayweather (draw), KSI (draw and loss), and a win over MMA fighter Dillon Danis.

The Ambani family, led by businessman Mukesh Ambani, would mark India's first major entry into high-profile boxing exhibitions. No date or venue has been announced for the event.

While McGregor maintains his intention to return to MMA, this exhibition match would further delay his comeback to the UFC, where he hasn't won a fight since January 2020.