After two years out of the Octagon, Conor McGregor has been desperate for a fight. Originally slated to face rival TUF coach Michael Chandler at UFC 296 this December, the Irishman had a near breakdown on Twitter back in August after learning that the bout had been postponed to 2024. Although no clear reason for the postponement was given by the UFC, most felt ‘Mac’s non-compliance with USADA rules was the main reason.

But without a clear date being announced, a frustrated McGregor has expressed displeasure at not being offered a fight while warning the promotion that his “patience is wearing thin” in an interview from Saudi Arabia. And UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has speculated on a very interesting reason behind the UFC dragging its feet.

‘Suga’ thinks the UFC may lose money on a Conor McGregor fight

On episode 265 of his TimboSugarShow, Sean O’Malley postulated that the reason McGregor was not getting a fight from the UFC may have to do with the former two-division champion’s contract. ‘Suga’ told his coach and co-host that the purse that ‘Mac’ would be paid for his fight would be so significant that the UFC would actually lose money when he fights.

“You know what’s crazy is Conor’s supposedly just begging for a fight: ‘give me a fight, let me fight daddy’. Connor says his patience is wearing thin over UFC inactivity. I wonder if he’s making so much money per fight that it’s like really just not that beneficial to the UFC, like they’re losing money when he fights. I wonder if like his deal’s structured in a way like it’s like f**k they’re not going to make much money,” O’Malley said.

For reference, McGregor reportedly earned $33 million for his last fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021, and this figure is expected to be higher for his upcoming comeback. There were initial talks about a potential UFC 300 fixture against Chandler around April. On the other hand, his coach has indicated ‘Mac’ may have to wait until July to make his comeback.

However, McGregor seems anxious to fight and is making moves of his own for a potential bout against boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. ‘Mac’s highest payday came in his cross-over boxing match against Floyd Mayweather in 2017. The Irishman seems to be working with the Saudi royal family to make it possible.

Conor McGregor eyeing Manny Pacquiao boxing match

McGregor was in Saudi Arabia to attend the ‘Day of Reckoning’ boxing megacard on December 23. In interviews from the event, ‘Notorious’ floated a challenge to Manny Pacquiao for a boxing match in early 2024 in Saudi Arabia. However, there has been no indication that Pacquiao is interested in the proposition.

Also Read: All We Know About Tony Ferguson and His Time at Harvard University? What Did the UFC Veteran Study?

And given the animosity between the two, it seems unlikely. The two have also been involved in a lawsuit that saw the iconic boxer pay $5 million to one of McGregor’s companies. However, the Saudis, who have invested massive amounts of money to promote their country as a sports tourism hub, may make Pacquiao an offer he simply couldn’t refuse.

Watch This Story: Conor McGregor Beefs With Nate Diaz, Dustin Poirier, Joe Rogan & Tony Ferguson On The Same Day