Bob Arum: Manny Pacquiao 'is there' to fight Conor McGregor if Floyd Mayweather deal fizzles

If the UFC and Floyd Mayweather can’t come to an agreement to make a highly anticipated boxing match happen with Conor McGregor, Top Rank CEO Bob Arum has an idea: How about a fight with Manny Pacquiao?

Pacquiao, the only eight-division champion in boxing history, is currently scheduled to face Australia’s Jeff Horn on July 2 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. After that, though, Pacquiao is available.

Should UFC President Dana White, who’s already worked out a deal with McGregor (21-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC), fail in negotiating with Mayweather (49-0 boxing), and if McGregor still wants to compete in the ring, Arum said Pacquiao (59-6-2 boxing) is an option to consider.

“If McGregor is still looking for an opponent, Manny Pacquiao is there,” Arum, who promotes Pacquiao, told TMZ.

Arum knows a thing or two about negotiating with Mayweather’s team. For years a superfight between Mayweather and Pacquiao was discussed and failed to get done on multiple occasions before finally happening in May of 2015. Mayweather scored a unanimous decision over the Filipino star in a bout that failed to match the hype.

With it appearing as though no deadline is in place between the UFC and Mayweather, Arum also provided advice for White as he attempts to negotiate with Mayweather’s team.

“Be patient, don’t give in,” Arum said. “Dana’s a good negotiator, and he’ll get the thing done. But he can’t be pushed around by Mayweather and his people.”

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, visit the UFC Rumors section of the site.