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McGregor says Pacquiao talks 'intensifying,' believes fight will happen in 2021

Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty

Conor McGregor might be focused on his Jan. 23 Octagon return, but he says a boxing match against Manny Pacquiao is still on the table.

The UFC superstar remains in talks to face the legendary boxer and thinks the contest will happen toward the end of 2021.

"Manny is in the wings waiting," McGregor said earlier this week on the "Weighing In" podcast. "I know those talks are intensifying. I believe sometime this year - maybe late this year - that bout will take place."

McGregor is scheduled to meet Dustin Poirier in the UFC 257 main event, which will mark his first fight in over 12 months. The former two-division champion wants to stay more active this year, so it's possible he could take one more MMA fight later in 2021 before stepping into the ring against Pacquiao.

"It will be on the discussions with the UFC where we go with this, what's next," McGregor said. "I do not want to sit around. I want to continue competition."

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