MMA Knockout

Why a Conor McGregor vs. Logan Paul Boxing Match is a Bad Idea For Combat Sports

MMAKO's Zain Bando believes Conor McGregor vs. Logan Paul shouldn't be celebrated as a combat sports novelty.

Zain Bando

McGregor (X) / Paul (YouTube)

When Conor McGregor vs. Logan Paul was teased as a possible fight next year, the fight purist in me sat back and wondered: Why?

McGregor sent out a series of tweets suggesting that a comeback fight with UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria was indeed not true, and instead, a fight with the ex-YouTuber-turned-boxer Logan Paul is in the works.

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"The rumors of a bout with [Topuria] are false," McGregor wrote. "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."

Paul, who seems to only compete in boxing exhibition matches, teased the fight himself in a since-deleted Instagram story on the same day.

Renowned MMA journalist Ariel Helwani revealed the ongoing rumblings, which is staggering considering McGregor's civil case and long layoff from combat sports.

If the fight were to happen, it would be a disgrace to combat sports. Not only does it mock combat sports, but it also disrespects the art form of boxing. Sadly, this side-show will overshadow a heavyweight title fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, a rematch that takes place on Saturday.

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Why a Conor McGregor vs. Logan Paul Boxing Match is a Bad Idea For Combat Sports
Jul 10, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Conor McGregor is carried off a stretcher following an injury suffered against Dustin Poirier during UFC 264 at T-Mobile Arena. / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Not to mention the fact that McGregor vs. Michael Chandler, a fight that has been teased, announced, and confirmed over three years, died thanks to a McGregor injury weeks before UFC 303. A UFC return, which seemed inevitable at this time last year, looks dead. So does any opportunity to win another championship.

McGregor last won an MMA fight in Jan. 2020 and has gone eight years without winning a title fight. The Irishman's dominance is non-exsistent, and now, it's just a never-ending cycle of what he could have become.

As for Paul, he has nothing to lose. So for him taking the fight, there's no risk involved. People will tune in regardless, and that's the nature of the fight business today.

This story is ongoing, but in any event, it could become the biggest combat sports event next year, and for all parties involved, that's what everybody wants.

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Zain Bando
ZAIN BANDO

Zain Bando is a writer for MMA Knockout, part of the Sports Illustrated/Minute Media umbrella. He has covered combat sports since 2019 for notable outlets BJPenn.com and FanSided MMA. He also co-hosts a podcast called "The MMA Outsiders," part of the Empty The Bench Podcast Network, which airs Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT. A Chicago suburban native, Bando has been enthralled with MMA since 2006 and has been fortunate to attend some of the most high-profile events in the sport's history, both as a fan and media member, including UFC 264, Bellator 297 and Kayla Harrison's PFL MMA debut. He is excited to take the next step in his combat sports writing journey and looks forward to continuing his following of the fight game for years to come. Bando can be reached via email at zainbando99@gmail.com or by social media @zainbando99

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