Manny Pacquiao is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in the world of boxing, admired for his incredible skill and legacy. The fighter has won multiple championship titles in several different divisions, proving his versatility and dominance across the sport. In 2021, ‘PacMan’ decided to take a break from boxing but eventually made his return earlier this year.
At the age of 46, the legendary fighter remains highly motivated to step inside the boxing ring and put up a show. He continues to possess incredible star power, with his unmatched popularity allowing him to potentially sell massive pay-per-view events. Recently, several reports have surfaced suggesting that Manny Pacquiao might face his old rival Floyd Mayweather once again in 2026.
The fight will probably take place at the Iconic Sphere in Las Vegas, and the hype around it is massive. Apart from Mayweather, Pacquiao is also interested in fighting some of the biggest names in the world of combat sports. In a recent interview, the veteran talked about his potential to share the ring with the likes of Conor McGregor or Khabib Nurmagomedov.
“Oh yeah, that’s possible also, with Conor McGregor. Depends, But I still want to say, get to that fight. McGregor(wants to fight), Too much (talking). I want to shut his mouth up. (Nurmagomedov) is a nice guy, a nice person. Humble and an inspiration. A good role model for sports,” said Manny Pacquiao via IBA.
Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao says he would want to face Conor McGregor in a boxing match, but would skip an offer to box Khabib Nurmagomedov.
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) November 4, 2025
"[Khabib] is a nice guy, humble, inspirational. He's a role model," he said during an interview at the IBA Boxing YouTube channel."… pic.twitter.com/LGilzp9SkD
Nurmagomedov and McGregor stand as two very different UFC superstars, each representing opposite ends of the combat sports spectrum. The Dagestani champion has successfully built a legacy as a disciplined role model, dedicating his post-retirement years to coaching and guiding upcoming fighters. Meanwhile, McGregor continues to dominate headlines for his luxurious lifestyle, high-profile parties, and unpredictable wild antics, captivating global audiences.

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Manny Pacquiao vs. Conor McGregor: A more realistic showdown than Khabib Nurmagomedov
A potential showdown between Pacquiao and McGregor appears far more realistic and commercially appealing than any fight involving Khabib Nurmagomedov. Unlike Khabib, who has remained committed to retirement and coaching, both Pacquiao and McGregor have shown genuine interest in returning for major events.
Their global popularity makes the matchup an ideal crossover spectacle, capable of drawing massive audiences and generating huge pay-per-view numbers. In comparison, a comeback from Nurmagomedov seems highly unlikely, making the Pacquiao versus McGregor bout a far more viable possibility.
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