Conor McGregor isn’t necessarily done with lightweight, but he’s set his sights on a UFC welterweight title fight if he succeeds against Michael Chandler.
In a special edition Hour of MMAMcGregor said he could be there to watch Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3 at UFC 286. He has a vested interest in the winner.
“Yes, I would like to [a welterweight title shot]” McGregor told Ariel Helwani. “So I would like that.
The UFC has not confirmed a weight class for McGregor vs. Chandler, which will be their final post-season bout. Ultimate Fighter 31. But McGregor sees himself as a welterweight, telling Helwani, “I’m 170.”
McGregor added that his fight with Chandler could take place in Las Vegas, New York, AT&T Stadium in Dallas or London, but the location has yet to be determined.
The former bi-division champion gained weight after breaking his leg at UFC 264, sparking suspicions of doping and leading to the discovery that he was not in the UFC’s drug testing pool, which is run by the US Anti-Doping Agency.
McGregor has fought three times at welterweight so far, sharing a couple of fights with Nate Diaz before taking on Donald Cerrone in a return bout in 2020. by knockout and a second when he broke his leg in a trilogy match.
McGregor has attacked former welterweight champion Usman several times as he seeks to reclaim the belt at UFC 286 after a brutal knockout loss to Edwards last August. UFC president Dana White didn’t dismiss the idea when it was discussed last year, but TUF the coaching position and the fight with historically lightweight Chandler raised questions about the promotion’s plans.
McGregor is due in London this week on business at a branch of The Black Forge Inn, a restaurant and bar he owns, and said he could attend UFC 286 at The O2 in London.
Source: www.mmafighting.com
