Conor McGregor‘s reps at Paradigm Sports Management won a $5.1 million lawsuit against boxing legend Manny Pacquiao after he allegedly breached his contract with Paradigm by entering into a secret agreement with TGB Promotions, prompting McGregor to insult Pacquiao on Twitter.
Conor McGregor, the popular UFC fighter, did not hold back his feelings about boxing legend Manny Pacquiao after Paradigm Sports Management, McGregor’s reps, won a $5.1 million lawsuit against him. The lawsuit was filed because Pacquiao was accused of having breached his contract with Paradigm by secretly entering a deal with TGB Promotions and allowing Sean Gibbons to represent him in negotiations. Paradigm won the case, and Pacquiao was ordered to pay more than $8 million in total, including the damages awarded by the jury and at least $2 million in attorney fees.
McGregor made his comments on Twitter in response to a user named Fight Oracle. Despite acknowledging Pacquiao’s greatness, McGregor made thinly veiled threats to the former world champion. When one tweet claimed that Pacquiao would not pay the damages owed, McGregor suggested he would “blow his head off with a backhand in bare knuckle.” McGregor’s comments were in stark contrast to those of Paradigm founder and CEO, Audie Attar, who issued a measured statement to MMAWeekly.com, stating that they were “elated” with the jury’s verdict.
Paradigm’s lead trial counsel was Judd Burstein, and the case was presided over by the Honorable Judge Walter P. Schwarm in the Superior Court of California, County of Orange. The trial was held after the original lawsuit was filed on June 25, 2021. Despite winning the case, Attar expressed his hope that Pacquiao had learned from the verdict, and in the future, he would act with integrity and honesty towards all parties.
McGregor’s comments showcase the tensions between the two camps and highlight the potential antagonism as each side looks ahead to the future. The Ultimate Fighter reality show is currently featuring McGregor in a coaching role, with the fighter expected to fight Michael Chandler in the later part of 2023. The fallout from the case is likely to continue, and only time will tell if McGregor’s incendiary comments will impact further on any potential fight with Pacquiao.