Conor McGregor vs Manny Pacquiao: How UFC legend compares to boxing icon ahead of shock fight in Middle East

CONOR MCGREGOR whipped up a storm on social media last night by revealing that he will be fighting Manny Pacquiao.

The Notorious has been out of action since defeating Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 in January.

McGregor, 32, then dismayed MMA fans when he retired for a third time back in June.

In a string of tweets on Friday night, however, the Irishman revealed his messages with UFC president Dana White from earlier this year - in which he tried to arrange a second bout of 2020 in May or June.

And he then dropped the Pacquiao bombshell, writing: "Anyway all water under the bridge who gives a fook. I’m boxing Manny Pacquiao next in the Middle East."

McGregor's manager Audie Attar, who also represents Pacquiao, confirmed to that talks are ongoing - but that the bout isn't ready to be confirmed just yet.

Pacquiao is keen to get the fight on, however with a statement from his office reading: "For the sake of all the Filipino Covid-19 victims, Senator Manny Pacquiao will be fighting UFC superstar Conor McGregor next year.

"The huge portion of his earnings will proceed to those who are affected nationwide by the pandemic."

So with the fight set to be pencilled in for December or January, let's take a look at the duo's tale of the tape.

A fighting veteran at 41, Pacquiao is nine years McGregor's senior.

And with that age comes experience, with the Filipino having fought 71 times compared to McGregor's 27 bouts - with only one of the Notorious' fights having come in the boxing ring, when he was stopped in the tenth round by Floyd Mayweather three years ago.

In MMA, however, McGregor does boast 22 wins, while Pacquiao has 63 on his record in the boxing ring.

The UFC star has been defeated five times, including the Mayweather bout, with the most recent of these coming against Khabib Nurmagomedov in October 2018.

Pacquiao, meanwhile, has notched up seven losses and two draws.

Both fighters are southpaws, while McGregor boasts a two-inch height advantage at 5ft 8in, and an enormous 18 centimetre reach advantage at 188cm.

Pacquiao weighed in at 146lbs for his last bout against Keith Thurman in 2019 - 24lbs lighter than McGregor was for his first-round stoppage of Cerrone in January - but it's unknown which weight category they will fight at this time around.

McGregor is expected to return to the octagon later in 2021, having held positive talks with the UFC on Friday.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao will return to his political position as senator of the Philippines.