UFC star Conor McGregor is in serious talks to fight boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, but the bout isn't a done deal yet, McGregor's manager, Audie Attar, told ESPN on Friday.
McGregor said Friday on Twitter that he is "boxing Manny Pacquiao next in the Middle East."
The McGregor-Pacquiao boxing match would take place in late December or early January, said Attar, who represents both fighters. The Middle East is one of a few locations being discussed to host the fight, he added.
In a statement Saturday, Pacquiao's aide, Jayke Joson, confirmed the plans for a fight next year and added that some of Pacquiao's earnings from the event would go to COVID-19 relief in the Philippines.
"For the sake of all the Filipino Covid-19 victims, Senator Manny Pacquiao will be fighting UFC superstar Conor McGregor next year," Joson said. "The huge portion of his earnings will proceed to those who are affected nationwide by the pandemic."
Attar recently told ESPN he had talks with the UFC about McGregor's future. On Friday, he said McGregor fighting Pacquiao in a boxing match was, in fact, one of the topics discussed; according to Attar, the UFC was on board with the idea.
In 2017, the UFC co-promoted a McGregor boxing match versus Floyd Mayweather Jr. along with Mayweather Promotions, Showtime and McGregor Sports & Entertainment. That fight ended up being one of the highest-grossing combat sports events of all time.
A specific weight for this proposed bout hasn't been determined, per Attar, but he said he was confident the fight would take place in the coming months.
Following the Pacquiao fight, Attar said the plan was for McGregor to return to the UFC in 2021.
McGregor, who also expressed frustration with his lack of activity this year, hasn't fought since his 40-second TKO win over Donald Cerrone in January.