Conor McGregor's six-word remark about Saudi Arabia's Turki Alalshikh sparks fan theories: "Are you guys working together?"

Conor McGregor's recent comment about Turki Alalshikh has elicited mixed reactions from combat sports fans worldwide. While many people speculated on the cause behind McGregor's remark, others accused the Irishman of bootlicking.

The Ring Magazine recently took to social media and shared a picture of Alalshikh and Terence Crawford. It captioned the 43-year-old's prediction that 2025 would be a fantastic year for boxing fans, which read:

"The Ring is the Bible of Boxing, and we are close to seeing the white smoke on the horizon… 2025 will be a crazy year for boxing and I mean it."

In response, McGregor reposted the picture and expressed his admiration for Alalshikh, writing:

''Absolute living legend is my friend @Turki_alalshikh''

Fans soon rushed to the comments section to share their reactions.

Making an inquiry about whether McGregor and Alalshikh were working on a potential fight, one fan wrote:

''Are you guys working together?''

Another one mocked McGregor, writing:

''Everyone bends the knee to Saudi it’s funny. C*ck behavior from every super star in sports''

Other fans wrote:

''When are you next fighting champ? I wanna see you back in the octagon. UFC is boring without you - you are the ufc and the reason I started watching''

''Would loved to seen you box more, another bout b4 100% retirement. Ps. You're not guilty, brother, & the truth will prevail eventually all real ones known the truth. From CW small shed SBG days till now. Always the Mac Clan & from fans & all around the world. God bless''

Check out more reactions below:

Fan reactions [Screenshots courtesy: @TheNotoriousMMA on X]

According to multiple sources, Alalshikh is negotiating with UFC CEO Dana White to launch a new boxing league. Meanwhile, McGregor is anticipated to compete against Logan Paul in an exhibition boxing match in India this year.

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When Conor McGregor requested Turki Alalshikh to set up his comeback fight

Conor McGregor was expected to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303, however, their fight was scrapped after McGregor suffered a toe injury while training. Following this, Chandler was scheduled to face Charles Oliveira at UFC 309.

With no official confirmation about his return, McGregor asked Turki Alalshikh if he could schedule his comeback. 'The Notorious' said the following at a BKFC press conference last year:

''You know, I’ve talked to Sheik Turki and said, 'Sheik Turki, can you assist me here?'...Maybe we can still do it after if they’re not going to line me up until December, January, February, or one of those dates...Let’s see what happens. Hopefully, it all comes to fruition.” [H/t: BJ Penn]