Conor McGregor always had designs on adding more hardware to his UFC title collection, and welterweight gold might be next on his list.
As he prepares to fight Michael Chandler at 170 pounds at UFC 303, the former two-division champ discussed his interest in reclaiming the lightweight title he once held or potentially pursuing something different. That’s when McGregor referenced his current plans to fight at welterweight, while also taking aim at reigning UFC champion Leon Edwards.
“Even look at the welterweight picture, which is my next weight, the welterweight picture,” McGregor said during a Duelbits live chat. “Leon Edwards — Nate Diaz almost knocked him out, had him out on his feet. If that was going on [with me], Leon’s unconscious. Also [Donald] Cerrone went the distance with him.”
McGregor’s past fights at welterweight happened against Diaz and Cerrone, and he currently sports a 2-1 record in the division. McGregor still hasn’t faced a lifelong welterweight, however, and that won’t change when he faces Chandler, who has spent his entire career competing at 155 pounds.
That said, McGregor believes the welterweight division is ripe for the picking, especially for a star of his magnitude. He doesn’t need to look any further than the next title fight at 170 pounds, which sees Edwards go up against Belal Muhammad in July, to know UFC would love to see him take a stab at that belt.
“There’s too many decisions going on now with that Leon fella,” McGregor said. “Leon Edwards loves a decision. Then he’s fighting another decision guy, your man Belal. Not great times in the welterweight title picture.
“[UFC 303 sells 200,000 pay-per-view] buys probably, not even — 150,000 buys, if it’s even a pay-per-view. It’s probably not even a pay-per-view.”
Edwards vs. Muhammad is a pay-per-view headliner at UFC 304, but it sounds as if McGregor isn’t all that interested in watching — though that may change if he beats Chandler and then declares his intention to go for the welterweight title.
Whether it’s welterweight gold or perhaps even running it back with old foe Max Holloway with the “BMF” title going up for grabs, McGregor prefers the idea of adding new accolades to his résumé rather than chasing down something he’s already won in the past.
“I’m looking at all these belts,” McGregor said. “The lightweight world title, although I’ve held that — how excited would I be to cut that weight again after winning it already? I’ve already held the belt.
“I’d be excited about the ‘Bad Mother F*cker’ title and I’d be excited about the welterweight title. We’ll see what happens. I take things as they come.”
Whether it’s lightweight, welterweight, or BMF, McGregor expects to get a shot at a UFC title in the near future, but he’d really like the promotion to add another belt to the company’s portfolio to show appreciation for all the attention he’s brought these championships.
“There should be a McGregor belt or some sort of money belt,” McGregor said. “The UFC needs to come up with one for me. Because all of these things were created off the back of me.”
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