Terence Crawford told Conor McGregor exactly why he was rejecting two-fight deal

Terence Crawford has explained why he rejected a sensational two-fight deal in boxing and MMA with former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor.

During recent live stream, McGregor claimed the boxing star rejected the chance to face him in two separate fights. Talks didn't work out after 'Bud' had no interest in fighting in MMA. “Crawford is very slick, he also has a wrestling background pedigree," McGregor said. "You know they’re always talking to me about bouts. I’ve already boxed a boxer, and the best boxer in MMA is me. You know what I mean? I generate the most [power]. We were talking back and forth about a two-fight deal. He rings up Crawford in front of me the day after the fights. I get on the phone and say ‘Crawford, they’re here talking about you and me [fighting]. Two-fight deal, MMA first, boxing second.

"I know you have an extensive wrestling background, and balls the size of a Bengal tiger. They’re asking for a fight, it’ll be hundreds of millions on the line. What’s up?', I said and then he goes, ‘I don’t fancy taking a kick off Conor McGregor’, that’s what he said. You have to respect that."

'Bud' has been seen in the past showing off his wrestling skills against sparring partners, having had a background in the sport. It would give him a punchers chance over any boxer who wished to cross over to MMA. That said, it appears it's not something he's considering in the near future.

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Now, the 37-year-old has come out publicly and revealed why he turned down the lucrative deal with the Irishman. Speaking to , the American said: "I told Conor, 'Hell no'. They called me and they offered me the fight and me and Conor got on the phone and started trying to figure something out.

"And I told him, 'Man I ain't getting into no Octagon with you so you can be kicking me and elbow me and s***'. He started laughing and s*** and he said 'Man, I respect it. 'You respect my sport just like I respect your sport and you understand that if you get in an Octagon you're going to be at a disadvantage. Just like if I get into the boxing ring with you, I'm going to be at a disadvantage'.

"But he was like, 'We will make a s*** ton of money'. I said, 'Yeah, sometimes it ain't about the money, I can make money but you ain't about to be kicking me, dude'. Kicks and elbows man that s*** ain't no joke."

Crawford is coming off a successful outing against Israil Madrimov in August to win the WBA super welterweight title. He was also awarded the WBO 'interim' title in the process and, as a result, was made mandatory for WBO and WBC champion Sebastian Fundora.

Two months ago, the WBO ordered Fundora to defend his titles against Crawford, with both teams given 30 days to negotiate a deal. The two parties have since been given a ten-day extension period until October 10 before a purse bid is ordered. As for McGregor, the Irishman hasn't competed in any combat sport since 2021 at UFC 264, where he broke his leg in a first-round defeat to Dustin Poirier.