Conor McGregor is being backed for a return to the boxing ring after teasing a bout against YouTuber Jake Paul.
The 33-year-old has been snapped walking for the first time since surgery on a broken leg suffered at the end of a frantic first round of his trilogy bout with American Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in Las Vegas in July.
Now punters are eyeing up a return to action for the Dubliner, although the money put down over the past 48 hours suggests his next appearance could come not in the octagon, but in the boxing ring.
McGregor caused a stir after tweeting the word ‘salivating’ in the wake of Jake Paul’s split decision victory over MMA fighter Tyron Woodley, only to provide fans with a punchline with a picture of his dinner.
However, Paul has previously called out the Irishman and an increase in speculation forced BoyleSports to slash the chances of McGregor stepping between the ropes for a second time to just 4/1 from 10/1.
The odds on the Irishman calling time on his UFC career with another retirement announcement this year have also shortened to 5/1 from 20/1 since his second successive defeat to Poirier, while he’s a 10/1 shot to be in this year’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Outta Here.
Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: “Conor McGregor is on the road to recovery and Jake Paul is already ramping up the trash talk after his latest victory.”
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