McGregor: Pacquiao fight ‘almost a certainty’ for 2021

FILE – In this Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, file photo, Conor McGregor smiles after defeating Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone during a UFC 246. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

MANILA, Philippines — UFC superstar Conor McGregor said his showdown with boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is almost a done deal for this year.

McGregor and Pacquiao have been rumored for a crossover fight for the last several years.

Talks intensified early last year after the WBA (Super) welterweight champion signed with Paradigm Sports Management, which also handles McGregor.

“It’s almost a certainty,” McGregor said in an interview with Sportsnet’s Arash Madani as posted on boxingscene.com. “I’m hearing there’s a contract and all coming… it’s that close. We haven’t (spoken) but it should happen in 2021.”

But before a bout with Pacquiao could materialize, McGregor needs to take care of business first.

The 32-year-old Irish is scheduled for his UFC return this weekend against Dustin Poirier.