(Sports news, martial arts news) Conor McGregor just lost $8 million in compensation from Manny Pacquiao after a court ruling.

MMA star Conor McGregor has just received bad news from boxing legend Manny Pacquiao when a US court announced the cancellation of the nearly $8 million compensation that McGregor was due to receive.

Pacquiao (right) didn’t need to get in the ring to still deliver a very painful punch to McGregor (left).

Court rules in favor of Filipino boxer

It all started when McGregor and his sports management company Paradigm Sports Management signed a contract with Pacquiao, promising to organize an exhibition match between the two fighters.

To make the deal work, Paradigm paid Pacquiao $3 million up front with the hope of creating a fight similar to the famous confrontation between McGregor and Floyd Mayweather in 2017, which earned McGregor $145 million.

However, Pacquiao has never fought under Paradigm’s management. This led McGregor’s company to sue Pacquiao in a California court last year, and initially, a jury ruled in McGregor’s favor, ordering Pacquiao to pay nearly $8 million in damages, including legal fees.

But according to the new court ruling, Pacquiao does not need to fight McGregor to receive $3 million from the previous settlement fee. The Filipino boxer also “successfully shook off the mud” by not having to pay McGregor $8 million.

“Pac Man” turns the tables

This week, the appeals court reversed its previous ruling, declaring the contract between Paradigm and Pacquiao void because McGregor’s company did not have a boxing management license from the California State Athletic Commission at the time of the contract.

Judge Walter P. Schwarm said the contract was “illegal and unenforceable,” resulting in Paradigm losing its right to seek damages.

“This decision overturns the jury’s verdict of May 2023,” Pacquiao’s attorney, Jason Aniel, said in a statement. “We thank the court for its time and effort in resolving these legal issues. Mr. Pacquiao also thanks his fans for their patience throughout this process.”

McGregor’s side remains silent after court’s announcement

Conor McGregor, who is also a major shareholder in Paradigm, has not yet publicly responded to the new ruling. However, this is not the only lawsuit that “The Notorious” is facing.

McGregor is set to appear in court in Ireland next week after former close friend and training partner Artem Lobov sued him over a promise of a share in a whisky venture, a project Lobov claims he initiated.

McGregor, who sold a 51% stake in the project for $600 million, continues to face major challenges, not only in the ring but also in real life.