Conor McGregor has delivered an ultimatum to the UFC, saying he will not return to the octagon unless one condition is met.
Following serving as a promoter on his fight against Floyd Mayweather, The Notorious wants to become the first fighter to co-promote an MMA event with the UFC.
“I was promoter on the Mayweather fight, and we’re in current negotiations,” McGregor told the crowd during a Q&A prior in Dublin. “I ain’t stepping in that octagon again unless I’m part owner of the whole setup – I’m a promoter.”
Although his next move within the company is yet to be confirmed, it looks likely he will fight a UFC lightweight title unifier against interim champ Tony Ferguson.
“Seeing this, it’s taking me back and making me realise, if I really, truly want to get back into the fighting – I’m in (the) negotiation stage,” McGregor said. “Everyone’s trying to get me to do something for money, and that’s all the way up, and all the way down. That’s from the fight game, that’s talk, that’s what they’re trying to do.
“They’re trying to get me back before the end of the year to make the company money so they can re-service the debt after the big $4.2 billion (£3.2bn) sale and all this bollocks, and I’m sitting there watching them type of wars I came through, back-to-back-to-back, and watching how I got there, and I’m like, I need to take my time here. I’m in no hurry.
“I’m in a great position. I’m in the forever money stage now. My money is up there rattling around in the money counter machine, so I’m good.”
The Irishman has also demanded a rematch with boxer Floyd Mayweather, however this time, rather than facing off in a boxing ring, he would like to see the bout take place in the UFC octagon.
Business Insider reports that he told a crowd in Glasgow: “What sickens me is that the little motherfucker is retired now. If I had another go with him, under boxing rules, I’d get that win. He had to change his whole approach. With those lessons I learned, with another go around, I’d get it.
“He’s 50-0 and getting on, I’m not calling him out. I’ll sit back. We’ll see how he gets on with this round of money. Maybe I’ll get another call. Originally he was saying an MMA bout next. That’s what he said before the fight.
“He did say an MMA fight. So if he wants to, lets fucking do it. There’s not a hope in hell… I’d like to see him come over to our side and have a knock. I earned their respect and put myself out there. Style over to my side and earn our respect now.”
