By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor claimed that Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao owes him $8 million in connection to a civil lawsuit involving the latter’s management company, Paradigm Sports Management (PSM).

McGregor’s claim came after Pacquiao announced over the weekend that he is scheduled for a rematch with retired American boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in Japan this year.

“Manny already owes me $8 million via the court of law. He was signed to my management company and didn’t honor his deal. So fight at my weight, and I’ll square that bill away,” McGregor said in an interview on IFL TV.

“You can appeal all you want, hurry up with your appeal, you owe me that dough, lad. You can’t sign a contract with an agency to represent you, and then go start to do other things, like imminently, straight away,” he added.

The PSM recently won its lawsuit against the retired Filipino boxer with a 9-3 jury verdict in a California court over a breach of contract a few years ago.

The court ordered Pacquiao to pay $5.1 million, including $1.8 million in damages and $3.3 million advance the promotion gave to the boxing legend.

McGregor, in a separate social media post, also mocked Pacquiao’s announcement for a rematch with Mayweather as the latter has yet to respond or confirm it.

“A lesson in how not to make an announcement,” a laughing McGregor said in a short video posted on his Instagram account on Thursday night, January 4.

McGregor instead challenged Pacquiao to come up to his weight, a 176-pound MMA welterweight, and fight him in Saudi Arabia to write off his alleged debt.

“Wouldn’t you think Manny should have to come up in weight, considering it’s his sport? Would you think that’s what a man would do versus what a mouse would do?” McGregor said.

McGregor and Pacquiao were rumored for an exhibition match two years ago, but it did not take place as the Filipino ring icon became busy with his failed presidential bid./ASC, WDJ