Conor McGregor News: Paulie Malignaggi ripped into the former UFC Champion

What's the story?

Recently, rumours surfaced about a possible boxing super fight between recently retired boxing legend, Paulie Malignaggi and UFC's 'Notorious' Conor McGregor. Given the shared bitter history between the two, the rumours did not seem all that unlikely, and it looked like Conor McGregor might once more be venturing into the world of boxing.

Now, Malignaggi has responded to the rumours, calling out McGregor and ripping into his former sparring partner turned bitter rival.

In case you didn't know...

In the lead up to his fight against Floyd 'Money' Mayweather, Conor McGregor had numerous sparring sessions with Paulie Malignaggi. Malignaggi was helping him to prepare for the upcoming fight in the training camp.

However, soon after he left the camp, photos and videos surfaced on the internet which showed Malignaggi getting knocked down by McGregor, and the Irish fighter seemingly getting better of his opponent in the boxing ring. Malignaggi did not take that well and has since harboured resentment against the fighter, claiming that the whole video had not been shared and the actual result of the fight had been quite different,

It is natural that he still holds less than positive feelings about McGregor at this juncture.

The heart of the matter

In an interview with Express Sport, Malignaggi denied that there was any truth behind the rumour of talks between McGregor and himself for a fight at any point. He instead suggested that this was McGregor's way of keeping his own name in the headlines.

"Conor is the king of bulls**t so I would not be surprised if this Conor having his team put out rumours just to keep his name in the headlines.”

He went on to mock McGregor, by bringing up the fact that he had been turned down by Tenshin Nasukawa for an exhibition fight, with the fighter saying that the only way he would face McGregor was in a kickboxing match at 58 kilos, something which is clearly impossible.

Malignaggi said that the rumours were nothing more, and had no truth behind them.

What's next?

Conor McGregor is awaiting sanctions from the Nevada State Athletic Commission for his involvement in the incidents following UFC 229.