McGregor-Poirier Charity Fight Downgraded To ‘Air Sparring’

https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA

From the creators of Air Guitar comes the next level of pretend participation. Behold … AIR SPARRING!

Remember the old days when UFC fighters would just pour a bucket of ice water over their heads and then make a subsequent donation to charity?

Certainly a lot quicker (and easier) than the verkakte scheme Conor McGregor cooked up involving former lightweight rival and philanthropic fighter Dustin Poirier, who is too committed to the “Good Fight Foundation” to decline any charitable request.

But “Notorious” probably didn’t read the fine print on his UFC contract, which is why his plans to stage an open-weight MMA fight outside the promotion has been downgraded to “air sparring” … which sounds a lot like glorified shadowboxing.

“Martial art sparring match in aid of charity,” McGregor wrote on Twitter. “Dublin, December 12th 2020. Free to air spar. McGregor vs Poirier. List of chosen charities available soon. All donations welcome.”

TAKE MY MONEY!!! (said no one)

UFC President Dana White got wind of the offsite dealing and like any good promoter, tightened their respective leashes. If McGregor and Poirier are interested in fighting then the promotion must stand to benefit from it, which is why they have contracts in the first place.

“(Conor) called out Poirier for a fight with (him) in Dublin for charity,” White told Barstool Sports. “So we offered them both a fight. We offered Dustin and Conor a fight, so we’re waiting to hear back from both of them.”

It’s unclear if White offered them separate fights or a bout against one another.

Either way, it’s far too early to get our hopes up. McGregor insists he’s retired from MMA and is already preparing for a Manny Pacquiao boxing match in the Middle East. Poirier, meanwhile, has been unable to come to terms on his next fight.

In other stupid news, ultimateairsparring.com is available at Go Daddy for just $1.99!