Conor McGregor could spark new "beef" with Jake Paul if the pair are involved in Katie Taylor's rematch with Amanda Serrano.
McGregor has always been heavily linked with a boxing fight against YouTube star Paul, who has made it his mission to call out the UFC superstar frequently to plant the seed. The Irishman initially took no notice of Paul but their rivalry has been ramped up in recent months, with the 34-year-old responding to the influencer on social media.
This week, Paul and McGregor's names have once again been thrown together given the latter's affiliation with Taylor, who is set to rematch Serrano, who is promoted by 'The Problem Child'. Fans had hoped the fight would be staged at Croke Park, but Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn suggested the venue is too expensive.
However, McGregor declared he would be open to financially supporting the contest, tweeting: "The extra security bill is 500k to have Katie Taylor fight at Croke Park? I will sponsor the event to see this happen." Responding to Hearn, he added: "What’s the craic lad. Give me the current landscape. I’m in. Is this doable still?"
Hearn has admitted the event could pose a new tag-team style rivalry, with McGregor on Taylor's side pitched against Paul and Serrano. “A passionate Irishman who loves Katie Taylor, who wants to see her accomplish her dream, which is one, to fight in Ireland and two, to potentially do it at Croke Park,” Hearn said.
“There’s a little bit of beef, between Conor McGregor and Katie Taylor, and Jake Paul and Amanda Serrano, I think Conor’s main priority is to see history made in Ireland, so we went backwards and forwards and we’re going to speak again this week, I may well fly to Ireland this week as well for a few meetings. He talked about the process for Katie Taylor, is it 3Arena and then Croke Park or do we try and find a way to make Croke Park happen in May?
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"We know there are obstacles in the way but whatever happens, Katie Taylor’s next fight will be in Ireland, and it’s very helpful to have a chat. As an Irishman, as a fighter, he would love to see an event in Croke Park, and he would love to see her get her night. And she will get her night, whether it’s in May or September.”
Paul has frequently stated his long-term plan to lure McGregor back into the boxing ring for the first time since his rival's 2017 defeat by Floyd Mayweather. However, a squared circle showdown seems unlikely, with McGregor announcing his UFC comeback against Michael Chandler this year.
