McGregor interested in Pacquiao fight

Conor McGregor is contemplating a return to the boxing ring.

The UFC superstar said Thursday at a news conference for Saturday's UFC 246 main event between himself and Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone that it would be an "honor" for him to headline a fight at Allegiant Stadium, where the Las Vegas Raiders are set to begin playing next season.

Sean Gibbons, president of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, sent a mock fight poster to Yahoo Sports' Kevin Iole on Wednesday, which contained the photos of both Pacquiao and McGregor at the new stadium, which is expected to open in July.

"I would love to be the first combatant to fight in that arena," McGregor said. "What a fight that would be against Manny [Pacquiao]. A small, powerful southpaw. I'd have to figure out the weight and these things. But something that interests me, no doubt."

If McGregor defeats Cerrone, it is appearing more likely that he will boxing another try. He fought Floyd Mayweather in a much-hyped August 2017 fight, which ended in a 10th-round stoppage. However, McGregor indicated that a rematch with Mayweather is a possibility later this year, as both the former five-division world champion and UFC president Dana White, have discussed a potential business deal.

Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KO's), 41, who is expected to return to the ring around March, previously expressed interest in fighting McGregor in an Instagram post dating back to November 2017.

McGregor confirmed Wednesday that talks are ongoing with Pacquiao's team.

"I certainly would love the rematch with Floyd," McGregor said. "It could very well happen this year, yes. It could very well happen. I know the Manny one is there whenever."

McGregor, 31, has not fought since suffering a fourth-round submission at the hands of bitter rival, unbeaten UFC lightweight titlist Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Although he has been more active in the courtroom as of late, McGregor wants to fight at least three times in 2020, whether it is inside the octagon or the ring.

"I've gone right to the top, right?" McGregor said. "I did do well. I won rounds. I hit [Mayweather] more times than anyone -- I hit him more times than Manny hit him; I feel like I could fight anyone. I could compete against anyone. People want to see me compete, and I want to compete for the people."