If Conor McGregor is severely contemplating a run at welterweight within the UFC, it seems the 2 high fighters within the division are able to welcome him.
After wrapping up filming on the newest season of The Final Fighter, McGregor introduced plans to face Michael Chandler at 170 kilos with hopes {that a} win may probably propel him into title rivalry. Although Chandler is ranked at 155 kilos and has by no means competed at welterweight within the UFC, McGregor believes a win may put him proper within the combine for a championship after he beforehand claimed gold at featherweight and light-weight.
“Yeah, I’d like [a welterweight title shot],” McGregor said on The MMA Hour. “So I would love that.”
Whereas McGregor’s want could not match with the UFC’s plans, reigning welterweight champion Leon Edwards didn’t blink when he was requested about probably dealing with the Irish celebrity in a future title protection.
Edwards is at the moment getting ready to defend his belt for the primary time in a rematch in opposition to ex-champion Kamaru Usman within the UFC 286 important occasion.
“Because the king, I welcome all challengers,” Edwards mentioned when requested about McGregor. “So whoever comes can get it.”
Usman has truly addressed McGregor previously when he was champion, and that’s all the time been a matchup he’s entertained as a risk.
Because it stands, McGregor solely has two wins at welterweight on his file — each coming in opposition to veteran lightweights in Nate Diaz and Cowboy Cerrone. McGregor holds no wins over any welterweights or lightweights ranked by the UFC outdoors of a victory in opposition to Dustin Poirier, which came about at featherweight again in 2014.
McGregor then dropped back-to-back fights in opposition to Poirier at light-weight in 2021.
“I’ve all the time mentioned I welcome it,” Usman mentioned about McGregor. “If it occurs, it occurs.”
McGregor all the time instructions consideration at any time when he lets his intentions be recognized, so it’s comprehensible that his curiosity in preventing for welterweight gold would increase Edwards and Usman’s eyebrows whilst they put together to battle one another for the third time.
Taking over the most important draw within the historical past of the UFC will all the time be enticing, however for his half, Edwards mentioned he’s not dropping sight of what’s instantly in entrance of him.
“Like I mentioned, I welcome all comers,” Edwards mentioned. “[Conor McGregor], whoever comes subsequent.
“However now I’m targeted on Kamaru Usman. I consider he’s the hardest problem within the division, so I’m targeted on that. Whoever comes subsequent then that’s what it’s.”
