Tag: Audie Attar

Conor McGregor’s manager: We’re pushing hard for UFC 300, Michael Chandler likely opponent

Conor McGregor’s manager is pushing for an April return at UFC 300.

LAS VEGAS – Although nothing is official yet, [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag]’s team is aiming for a return to the octagon at UFC 300.

McGregor’s manager, [autotag]Audie Attar[/autotag], told MMA Junkie on Thursday at the World MMA Awards that they’re campaigning for the UFC star to make his highly anticipated return at UFC 300, with takes place April 13 in Las Vegas.

“If it was up to him, he’d be fighting Saturday, so ultimately we’re just trying to make sure we’re doing everything right and following all the standard operating procedures to get him back in the octagon as soon as possible,” Attar said. “UFC 300 would be amazing, and obviously we’re pushing as hard as we can to make that happen. Ultimately, it’s going to be an exciting 2024 for his return.”

McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) hasn’t competed since breaking his tibia in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. He’s been recovering ever since, and he recently entered the USADA testing pool – the UFC’s anti-doping program, which will be replaced starting in 2024 by Drug Free Sport International.

This year, the former two-division UFC champion coached Season 31 of “The Ultimate Fighter” against [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag]. Attar believes Chandler will be McGregor’s return opponent, but says it’s not guaranteed.

“Look, I think that’s the likeliest opponent,” Attar said. “They just did The Ultimate Fighter together, and I think the fans want to see that fight, but there are other opponents as well. At the end of the day, the UFC is still keen on Michael Chandler and unless something changes there, I certainly think that’s who’s going to be.”

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Audie Attar: Conor McGregor still loves MMA, return will be ‘greatest in sports history’

“It’s going to be an interesting story, and I do believe it’s going to be the greatest comeback in sports history.”

[autotag]Audie Attar[/autotag] insists [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag]’s drive hasn’t wavered.

Despite all the success, money and accolades McGregor has achieved, which includes a crossover boxing match with Floyd Mayweather, his manager and business partner Attar says he still has a lot more that he wants achieve.

McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) became the UFC’s first dual-champion and has sold more pay-per-views than any fighter in UFC history. Although his recent results in the octagon haven’t been his best, “The Notorious” isn’t ready for his last MMA memory to be one of him getting stretchered out of the cage.

So what drives McGregor these days? Attar says the answer is simple.

“First and foremost, he loves this sport,” Attar told MMA Junkie. “I think that’s the one thing that’s very special about him. It’s why it’s allowed him to reach a level of success that most fighters aspire to achieve. He loves it. The second part is he’s a competitor.

“Does he have more ambitions and goals that he wants to achieve? Absolutely. I think that’s what makes it so special and so intriguing and it’s going to be an interesting story, and I do believe it’s going to be the greatest comeback in sports history.”

McGregor broke his leg in a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. Attar sees no point in McGregor rushing his return after such a gruesome injury, but when he does make his projected comeback in 2023, he knows his star client won’t be short of options.

Ex-lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, who meets Islam Makhachev for the vacant title in the UFC 280 headliner, still is eyeing McGregor, which doesn’t surprise Attar.

“I mean, Conor said it best: It’s red panty night when you fight him,” Attar said. “So at the end of the day, I don’t think it’s changed. The color of the panties haven’t changed. So ultimately, I think a lot of the fighters want that. They want that payday, but they also want that experience to be able to say that they fought Conor McGregor. They all aspire to win that fight, and so that’s a normal thing. I don’t think anybody’s shocked by that.”

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Paradigm Sports boss Audie Attar shuts down ‘shady characters’ over Pacquiao-McGregor talk

The manager of Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor has hit out at “shady characters” for spreading “false rumors” about the Filipino legend.

Anyone ruling out a potential boxing clash between [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] and [autotag]Manny Pacquiao[/autotag] may want to pump the brakes just a little.

In the aftermath of McGregor’s second-round TKO defeat to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257, the Irishman admitted that he wasn’t sure how things would pan out for his mooted clash with the Filipino as he told reporters, including MMA Junkie, during the post-fight press conference that the fight was close to being signed.

“I’ll see what happens. I don’t know what will happen,” he said at the time. “That Manny fight was happening. That was as good as done, so I don’t know.”

The following day, news emerged stating that Pacquiao was no longer interested in the McGregor matchup, with the president of Manny Pacquiao promotions Sean Gibbons reportedly telling U.K. newspaper The Sun, “I think the demand for the fight is not there presently.”

But on Saturday night Audie Attar, who manages both Pacquiao and McGregor, posted a statement to his social media making clear that his company, Paradigm Sports, is the only organization actively representing Pacquiao’s interests, and took aim at some of the rumors and statements that have been linked to the Pacquiao camp in recent days.

“The boxing industry has a history of shady characters being involved. These individuals introduce confusion and spread false rumors solely for their own interests. Unfortunately, this only ends up hurting the fighters.

“It has come to our attention that some of these individuals are once again spreading false and inaccurate rumors that are self-serving without the authority of Senator Pacquiao or Paradigm Sports.

“Senator Pacquiao engaged Paradigm Sports as his exclusive representatives last year because he wants to close out the final chapters of his historic boxing career in a meaningful way.

“No one outside of Paradigm Sports is involved in any way with the management of Senator Pacquiao’s boxing career at this time. Anyone falsely representing themselves as Senator Pacquiao’s manager or representative as it relates to his remaining fight career may face legal repercussions.

“Paradigm Sports has a reputation in the combat sports industry for operating with integrity, professionalism, and transparency fighting for our clients, and we look forward to producing an incredible event with Senator Pacquiao in early 2021.

“I am working closely with Senator Pacquiao and his legal team in Manila on plans for his next fight. We will be sharing the details of this event in the coming weeks.”

The statement certainly raises a few questions. Is this simply a case of Attar shutting down previous representatives trying to muddy the waters? Could this mean that the suggestion of waning interest in a Pacquiao-McGregor bout is inaccurate? If so, does this mean we could still see a Pacquiao-McGregor boxing match in 2021, as McGregor suggested in the lead-up to UFC 257?

With fans across boxing and MMA eagerly awaiting news on both Pacquiao’s and McGregor’s respective futures, it would appear that all options remain open and, with Pacquiao not being quoted as saying he’s no longer interested in a bout with the Dubliner, a matchup between the two may still be a possibility.

The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.

Manny Pacquiao opens as heavy favorite over Conor McGregor

Manny Pacquaio opened as a -450 favorite to beat Conor McGregor in a boxing match.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on MMAJunkie.com.

***

It didn’t take long for the oddsmakers to open a line on a potential Conor McGregor vs. Manny Pacquiao boxing match.

Following McGregor’s stream of tweets Friday, in which he claimed he’s going to box Manny Pacquiao in the Middle East, online sportsbook Bovada released odds on the potential matchup.

Pacquaio (62-7-2, 39 KOs) opens as a -450 favorite. For those unfamiliar with gambling lines, this means a $450 bet would win a $100 reward on top of a refund should it cash.

As for McGregor (0-1), the former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion comes in at an underdog price of +325. For those unfamiliar with gambling lines, this means a $100 bet placed on McGregor would earn a $325 reward on top of a refund should it cash.

The fight must occur in 2020 or 2021 in order for action to take place.

In 2017, McGregor competed in his lone professional boxing match when he took on Floyd Mayweather in a major crossover pay-per-view event. Mayweather defeated McGregor by TKO in Round 10.

McGregor, 32, has not competed in any combat sport since January, when he defeated Donald Cerrone by first-round TKO at UFC 246. Prior to that fight, McGregor’s previous bout came in October 2018 when he lost to UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov by fourth-round submission.

Since Pacquiao, 41, lost a May 2015 blockbuster fight against Floyd Mayweather, he has gone 5-1. He most recently competed in July 2019, defeating Keith Thurman via 12-round split decision to win his title.

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Manny Pacquiao opens as heavy favorite over Conor McGregor

Manny Pacquaio opened as a -450 favorite to beat Conor McGregor in a boxing match.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on MMAJunkie.com.

***

It didn’t take long for the oddsmakers to open a line on a potential Conor McGregor vs. Manny Pacquiao boxing match.

Following McGregor’s stream of tweets Friday, in which he claimed he’s going to box Manny Pacquiao in the Middle East, online sportsbook Bovada released odds on the potential matchup.

Pacquaio (62-7-2, 39 KOs) opens as a -450 favorite. For those unfamiliar with gambling lines, this means a $450 bet would win a $100 reward on top of a refund should it cash.

As for McGregor (0-1), the former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion comes in at an underdog price of +325. For those unfamiliar with gambling lines, this means a $100 bet placed on McGregor would earn a $325 reward on top of a refund should it cash.

The fight must occur in 2020 or 2021 in order for action to take place.

In 2017, McGregor competed in his lone professional boxing match when he took on Floyd Mayweather in a major crossover pay-per-view event. Mayweather defeated McGregor by TKO in Round 10.

McGregor, 32, has not competed in any combat sport since January, when he defeated Donald Cerrone by first-round TKO at UFC 246. Prior to that fight, McGregor’s previous bout came in October 2018 when he lost to UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov by fourth-round submission.

Since Pacquiao, 41, lost a May 2015 blockbuster fight against Floyd Mayweather, he has gone 5-1. He most recently competed in July 2019, defeating Keith Thurman via 12-round split decision to win his title.

McGr[lawrence-related id=14144]

Conor McGregor vs. Manny Pacquiao in Middle East? Could be

Conor McGregor tweeted that his next fight would be against Manny Pacquiao somewhere in the Middle East.

Conor McGregor says a lot of things. One of his latest comments might be of interest to boxing fans.

The MMA star and one-time boxer tweeted that his next fight would be against Manny Pacquiao somewhere in the Middle East, although he gave no date or specific site.

Should we believe him? Maybe.

His manager, Audie Attar, later told ESPN that McGregor and Pacquiao are indeed negotiating to fight in December or January but that no agreement has been reached.

Attar said the Middle East is one possible site.

McGregor, 32, is known best in boxing circles for his 10th-round knockout loss to Floyd Mayweather in their massive event in 2017.

Pacquiao, 41, hasn’t fought since he outpointed Keith Thurman to win a welterweight title in July.

 

Conor McGregor vs. Manny Pacquiao in Middle East? Could be

Conor McGregor tweeted that his next fight would be against Manny Pacquiao somewhere in the Middle East.

Conor McGregor says a lot of things. One of his latest comments might be of interest to boxing fans.

The MMA star and one-time boxer tweeted that his next fight would be against Manny Pacquiao somewhere in the Middle East, although he gave no date or specific site.

Should we believe him? Maybe.

His manager, Audie Attar, later told ESPN that McGregor and Pacquiao are indeed negotiating to fight in December or January but that no agreement has been reached.

Attar said the Middle East is one possible site.

McGregor, 32, is known best in boxing circles for his 10th-round knockout loss to Floyd Mayweather in their massive event in 2017.

Pacquiao, 41, hasn’t fought since he outpointed Keith Thurman to win a welterweight title in July.

 

Conor McGregor denies wrong doing after arrest in Corsica

Conor McGregor denied wrong doing after the former UFC two-division champion was arrested while on a trip to France.

Editor’s note: This article originally was published on DAZN.com.

***

Conor McGregor denied wrong doing after the former UFC two-division champion was arrested while on a trip to France with his fiance and two children.

On Saturday morning, it was reported by the Agence France Press that an individual filed a complaint against McGregor in Corsica for an alleged attempted sexual assault and sexual exhibition at a local bar. Prosecutors released a statement to the AFP informing them McGregor had been detained.

Upon the report, McGregor’s representatives went on the offensive, with the Irish star flatly denying the accusations.

“Conor McGregor vigorously denies any accusation of misconduct,” McGregor legal spokesperson Karen Kessler told ESPN. “He has been interviewed and released.”

Shortly after that statement was released, McGregor’s agent at Paradigm Sports Management, Audie Attar, sent a stern message on the matter: “I am irate and putting out a warning loud and clear: Conor McGregor is not and will not be a target for those seeking to score a headline or a payday.”

The UFC hasn’t released a statement about the allegations levied against their biggest star.

McGregor is in France for the Calvi-Monaco Water Bike Challenge, a 180-kilometer, 24-hour charity water bike race with Princess Charlene of Monaco to promote water safety. The 32-year-old withdrew from the event.

McGregor hasn’t fought since January, when he knocked out Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds at UFC 246. In June, McGregor retired from the sport. However, on Friday he was drug tested on his yacht by USADA, the UFC’s anti-doping partner.

The recent incident is the first time the Irishman has run afoul of the law. In April 2018, he was arrested days before UFC 223 for throwing a dolly through a bus window containing UFC fighters. Then, at the beginning of 2019, McGregor was arrested in Miami for taking a cell phone from a male and smashing it on the ground. The case was ultimately dropped.

McGregor also was arrested in his home country of Ireland for punching an elderly patron in a bar last year. McGregor ended up pleading guilty and reached a settlement with the gentleman.

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Conor McGregor denies wrong doing after arrest in Corsica

Conor McGregor denied wrong doing after the former UFC two-division champion was arrested while on a trip to France.

Editor’s note: This article originally was published on DAZN.com.

***

Conor McGregor denied wrong doing after the former UFC two-division champion was arrested while on a trip to France with his fiance and two children.

On Saturday morning, it was reported by the Agence France Press that an individual filed a complaint against McGregor in Corsica for an alleged attempted sexual assault and sexual exhibition at a local bar. Prosecutors released a statement to the AFP informing them McGregor had been detained.

Upon the report, McGregor’s representatives went on the offensive, with the Irish star flatly denying the accusations.

“Conor McGregor vigorously denies any accusation of misconduct,” McGregor legal spokesperson Karen Kessler told ESPN. “He has been interviewed and released.”

Shortly after that statement was released, McGregor’s agent at Paradigm Sports Management, Audie Attar, sent a stern message on the matter: “I am irate and putting out a warning loud and clear: Conor McGregor is not and will not be a target for those seeking to score a headline or a payday.”

The UFC hasn’t released a statement about the allegations levied against their biggest star.

McGregor is in France for the Calvi-Monaco Water Bike Challenge, a 180-kilometer, 24-hour charity water bike race with Princess Charlene of Monaco to promote water safety. The 32-year-old withdrew from the event.

McGregor hasn’t fought since January, when he knocked out Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds at UFC 246. In June, McGregor retired from the sport. However, on Friday he was drug tested on his yacht by USADA, the UFC’s anti-doping partner.

The recent incident is the first time the Irishman has run afoul of the law. In April 2018, he was arrested days before UFC 223 for throwing a dolly through a bus window containing UFC fighters. Then, at the beginning of 2019, McGregor was arrested in Miami for taking a cell phone from a male and smashing it on the ground. The case was ultimately dropped.

McGregor also was arrested in his home country of Ireland for punching an elderly patron in a bar last year. McGregor ended up pleading guilty and reached a settlement with the gentleman.

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