Conor McGregor Says Terence Crawford Turned Down Massive 2-Fight Deal

Conor McGregor says Terence Crawford walked away from a $200 million two-fight package—a staggering sum that would have shattered combat sports records and bridged the gap between boxing and MMA. The Irish superstar made the claim during a recent interview, alleging that Crawford rejected a joint MMA-boxing proposal backed by Saudi Arabian power broker Turki Alalshikh. If true, the decision marks one of the most consequential missed paydays in modern prizefighting and raises questions about Crawford's next move. McGregor, who has not fought since breaking his leg in July 2021, offered no written proof but insisted the deal included a boxing match against himself and a subsequent MMA bout under the UFC banner. Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority and a driving force behind Riyadh Season events, has become the sport's most aggressive financier, recently funding blockbuster fights like Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou. The reported offer underscores Alalshikh's strategy of luring top-tier talent with life-changing guarantees. For Crawford, the undisputed welterweight boxing champion with a 41-0 record, the proposed deal would have required crossing over into MMA—a discipline he has never practiced. McGregor, a former two-division UFC champion, has long flirted with boxing rematches and even teased a trilogy with Nate Diaz. But his own return remains uncertain, with no fight booked and speculation growing that he may never step back into the Octagon. Critics note that McGregor has a history of making unverified claims about mega-deals and opponents. The Crawford camp has not publicly confirmed or denied the offer. Still, the figure—$200 million over two fights—dwarfs the guarantees typically seen in either sport. The largest single fight purses in history top out around $100 million for boxers like Canelo Álvarez; MMA's highest disclosed payday is roughly $15 million. If accurate, the deal would have been a paradigm shift, potentially forcing promoters to recalibrate their financial models. The outcome also highlights the growing influence of Saudi Arabian investment in global sports. Turki Alalshikh's Riyadh Season brand has quickly become the sport's bank of last resort, offering sums that traditional promoters cannot match. For Crawford, 37, time is running out on his athletic prime. He has publicly expressed frustration with his promoter, Top Rank, and hinted at retirement if a lucrative fight with Errol Spence Jr. doesn't materialize. McGregor, meanwhile, faces pressure to deliver on his comeback promises. A date in 2027 seems increasingly likely. Regardless of whether the Crawford claim is verified, the underlying truth is clear: cross-sport mega-fights now command nine-figure budgets, and Saudi Arabia's checkbook is reshaping combat sports. The next milestone to watch is Crawford's next announcement—if he signs elsewhere, the McGregor story fades. If he confirms rejecting $200 million, expect a firestorm of debate about risk, legacy, and what fighters are worth.