Dana White Prefers To See Conor McGregor Compete In UFC Over Manny Pacquiao Boxing Match

UFC president Dana White is not too interested in seeing Conor McGregor box Manny Pacquiao.

McGregor previously claimed in the past that negotiations for a boxing match with Pacquiao were in motion only for it to not end up coming to fruition.

That said, talk of a boxing match between the pair remains — especially as they’re now represented by the same agency — with some expecting it to take place later this year.

Pacquiao, himself, recently declared that he would like to face the Irishman in a special exhibition match.

“They’re my options, but right now, I want to experience fighting an MMA [mixed martial artist],” he said (via World Boxing News). “I will also donate a big portion of my income to Filipino Covid-19 victims.”

However, White would prefer for McGregor to compete inside the Octagon where he is best — especially as boxing fights will always be there for him.

“I would love to see him focus on what he could do here in the UFC,” White told ESPN. “Whether it is taking another shot at the title against Khabib or fight for the title against somebody else if Khabib retires and then defend that title.

“A boxing match with any of these guys, that sort of stuff is always going to be there. You are the absolute best in the world right now at MMA. And the timing is right now. You’re not getting any younger. I would love to see him go for it here [in UFC] in the next year. If he wants to fight any of the boxing guys, do it next year.”

Of course, McGregor notably boxed Floyd Mayweather back in 2017 and ended up losing a 10th-round TKO.

However, that was a special case according to White.

“That was the perfect storm,” White added. “It all sort of came together perfectly with Floyd. It was fun, it was a fun thing to do. But it was sort of a one and done for me. … But it’s not really what I do. Poirier vs. McGregor — that’s what I do.”