Former two-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor has agreed to fight Logan Paul in a boxing exhibition in India.
In a post on X, he mentioned that he was in preliminary agreements with the Ambani family to fund the match and was willing to do it. Afterwards, he intends to return to MMA after facing a broken leg in 2021 and a foot injury in 2024. Not much has been revealed about the fight, though rumors have begun to circulate about a potential date in April and a staggering $250 million prize for both fighters, none of which have been confirmed.
The rumors of a bout with topurio 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.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 17, 2024
About the Match
The details of the match are still hazy. Apart from his post on X, little has been confirmed about whether the fight is even real. However, the chances of the match actually being finalized aren’t zero. McGregor is under contract with the UFC, and Paul is signed to the WWE, which puts them both under the TKO umbrella. Negotiations could ensue if the two organizations are open to a cross-promotion match. WWE’s strong presence in India may also make the event feasible and profitable, which may have more appeal to executives. Conor McGregor was also given the green light to fight Mayweather in 2017, though it’s been years since that match; the landscape and reception of such a fight may not be the same, especially with Paul as the opponent. There’s only so much fans and experts can speculate about, though if the match comes to fruition, it’s sure to be an entertaining and exciting watch.
Previous Boxing Experience
Though McGregor and Paul compete in other sports, they both have some professional boxing experience. This is set to be McGregor’s second professional boxing match, the first being a 2017 fight against boxing icon Floyd Mayweather Jr., where the former was defeated by a TKO in the 10th round. Paul, a YouTube content creator-turned-WWE wrestler, has fought in other boxing exhibition matches previously, with opponents such as fellow influencer KSI, MMA fighter Dillon Danis, and Floyd Mayweather Jr. as well. Between the two of them, only Paul has had a victory. Outside of boxing, both of them have achieved major milestones in their careers. McGregor became the first UFC fighter to hold two championships in two weight classes at the same time. Paul won the United States Championship in 2023—his first WWE championship.
Betting Odds
The McGregor vs. Paul match may be a huge draw for sports fans and sportsbook enthusiasts. Logan Paul’s younger brother Jake Paul, also a YouTuber and professional boxer, made headlines with his match against Mike Tyson in November 2024. The fight saw big bets being placed, including from rapper Drake and even McGregor himself. However, many did not foresee Jake Paul defeating Tyson via unanimous decision. He may have had youth and health on his side for his match, but things may turn out differently for Logan. Logan Paul’s single boxing victory may already boost his odds, and he’s also younger and heavier than McGregor, which can pose a challenge for the latter. His lack of fighting experience in general compared to McGregor may affect his chances. However, people have long enjoyed betting on McGregor, and his aggressive style may prove beneficial in the ring. His inactivity and injuries may hold him back if he isn’t careful. Some are currently seeing this as a 50/50 fight, with both fighters getting -115 betting lines. Even when compared to Jake Paul, McGregor’s odds of winning look like Jake Paul -200 and Conor McGregor +175.
Regardless of the odds, betting may be a huge focus for the match. Crypto boxing betting has grown massively over the past few years, and the online landscape has helped fuel its growth. Betting platform Thunderpick showcases the prowess of online boxing betting, providing users with the most popular Boxing Bout betting markets, including Match Winner, Handicaps, Totals, and more. Users can also use live mode to watch games and place bets on in-play events. Betting with crypto also makes the experience feel more secure and private. With a potential for massive viewership, big bets may be expected for both fighters. Additionally, both fighters have been sponsored by crypto platforms in the past, so this disruptive form of currency will likely take center stage again.
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Getting views
While there was initially some skepticism and criticism of influencers like Jake and Logan Paul entering the professional fighting scene, there’s no doubt that their names help bring in the views. It also helps that they go against renowned names in the industry, which garners a lot of attention, whether negative or positive. The Paul vs. McGregor match may draw millions of viewers to watch, especially because of their fame and notoriety.
McGregor is the biggest pay-per-view draw in UFC history, and his 2017 match with Mayweather drew over 5.3 million buys across the US and the UK. Paul has also become a well-known figure in the influencer and social media space, garnering over 23 million subscribers on YouTube. Even if people aren’t fans of either of the two, the entertainment factor and the betting opportunities can drum up hype and keep people engaged. Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson already showcased the popularity of these kinds of matches, as the fight had 108 million viewers on Netflix globally and hit number one in 70 countries, making it the most-streamed sporting event ever. Paul and McGregor’s fight may see similar or even higher viewership.
The Conor McGregor vs Logan Paul match isn’t a solid reality yet, but the potential for a fight being set up already has the combat sports and professional wrestling world buzzing. A face-off between two notorious figures can make for great entertainment and draw a lot of eyes to see how the match will play out. Will it end up like Jake Paul and Mike Tyson’s fight, or will there be a clear winner? More details are still to come.