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Seven UFC fighters who could cross over to boxing after Conor McGregor confirms Manny Pacquiao fight

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CONOR McGREGOR is set to swap the octagon for the ring again after announcing he will fight Manny Pacquiao.

McGregor made his boxing debut in 2017, losing in ten rounds against Floyd Mayweather.

Conor McGregor made his boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather
USA Today Sports

But having been frozen out of the UFC picture, the 32-year-old is preparing to lace up the gloves once more to box Pacquiao in the Middle East.

It followed after Dana White hinted he had a ‘big announcement’ to make regarding his imminent move into the boxing business.

Here SunSport takes a look at seven UFC fighters who could swap the cage for the ring.

Conor McGregor

McGregor is not the only UFC star to have laced up the gloves – but he’s certainly the most recognised.

After losing against Mayweather, 43, he has campaigned for a rematch and even insisted he would one day win a boxing world title.

He has the chance to beat a current champion, with WBA welterweight title holder Pacquiao confirming he will share the ring with the UFC star.

The super-fight is targeted for December or January.

Conor McGregor lost his boxing debut against Mayweather in ten rounds

Jorge Masvidal

Masvidal has been credited for possessing one of the best boxing abilities in the UFC.

It was the first sport he took up while achieving success as a street fighter in Miami.

The 35-year-old has a deep routed love for boxing and idolises Panamanian legend Roberto Duran – who walked him out before his win against Nate Diaz last November.

Masvidal, who has one pro boxing win, has shared an interest in lacing up the gloves, previously calling out Mayweather and more recently Canelo Alvarez.

Jorge Masvidal recently called out boxer Canelo Alvarez

Nick and Nate Diaz

The Diaz brothers have taken the fundamentals of a solid jab and slashing hooks to the body into the octagon with them.

Both have made a name for themselves sparring with pro boxers, especially Andre Ward.

Ward, a two-weight champ and modern great, sparred the brothers during his career and gave high praise to the two.

He said: “Those boys could do good in boxing. Anytime I’ve fought a left-hander I’ve had them over in camp.

“They lasted the whole camp, they can take it and dish it out.”

Nick, left, and Nate Diaz brothers have made a name for themselves sparring with pro boxers

Stipe Miocic

Before Miocic became heavyweight champion, he boxed as an amateur as well as wrestling at college.

He won the Cleveland Golden Gloves, and has taken it into his UFC career with 15 knockouts in 20 wins.

Miocic has opened the door to boxing before, even calling out champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

The 38-year-old said: “I would love to box. If there’s a chance I could fight Joshua or Fury or something like that, it’d be great.”

Stipe Miocic won the Cleveland Golden Gloves as an amateur boxer

Francis Ngannou

Another heavyweight eyeing a move into the ring is hard-hitter Ngannou, who has won 11 times by KO in 15 wins.

When the 34-year-old first started training aged 22, he wanted to be a boxer but transitioned into MMA as there was more chance to make money.

He told Mike Tyson he still dreams of making his boxing debut, and was linked with facing Dillian Whyte.

Ngannou has also sparred Brit Joe Joyce, while later calling out WBC king Fury.

Francis Ngannou has sparred heavyweight boxer Joe Joyce

Dustin Poirier

After Poirier was beaten by McGregor in 2014, he moved up to lightweight, and has won ten of his last 13 fights.

A major part of the 31-year-old’s success was his improved boxing and power, so much so that he wants to spearhead Zuffa Boxing’s launch against either Nate Diaz or his brother.

Poirier told MMA Junkie in January: “I’d be willing to box him if they wanted to do that.

“I wish Zuffa Boxing was around and we’d have an opportunity – him and his brother were always talking about crossing over to boxing, I’d love to put the paws on him and show you guys my boxing skills.”

Dustin Poirier is open to making his pro boxing debut

Cody Garbrandt

Years before Garbrandt became bantamweight champion, he started as a successful amateur boxer, with a reported 32-0 record.

The 29-year-old is one of the fastest fighters in the UFC and with ten KOs, he has proven to have power in his hands.

He even called out McGregor to a boxing match in 2017, telling ESPN: “No ill will towards the guy, but I actually believe I’m a better boxer.

“I feel like I’m one of the best boxers in the UFC. I’ll go in there and knock Conor the f*** out in a boxing ring, just to be honest.

“I would knock him out, that’s it. I have the best boxing in the game, in the UFC, and I’m ready to showcase it on another level.”

Cody Garbrandt had a reported 32-0 amateur boxing record

Israel Adesanya

Current unbeaten middleweight champion Adesanya has one of the most diverse striking styles in the UFC.

A champion kickboxer previously, the 31-year-old is more renowned for mixing his unique but pinpoint strikes up.

But he has boxed before in his homeland of New Zealand, amassing 6-1 record at cruiserweight and light-heavyweight.

Adesanya last boxed in 2015, three years before his UFC debut, and emerges as one of the sport’s most experienced boxers.

Israel Adesanya amassed a 6-1 boxing record record
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