Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Former UFC champion Conor McGegor is scheduled to return to action this month against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in a welterweight bout at UFC 246, but after that it’s unknown what the next step will be for “Notorious.”
McGregor’s plans for 2020 obviously hinder on his ability to take out Cerrone in his Octagon return, but that isn’t stopping the Irishman from putting together his complete hit list for the next 12 months.
While McGregor’s list is likely to change from week to week, surging welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal is currently one of the names at the very top. It make sense considering “Gamebred” became one of the most popular fighters in the sport in 2019, defeating the likes of Nate Diaz, Ben Askren, and Darren Till, but also because Masvidal is in possession of the illustrious “Baddest Motherf—ker” belt.
In addition to Masvidal, McGregor is taking aim at all of the other top names at 170 pounds. Despite White’s acknowledgement that welterweight may be too big of a division for “Notorious,” the brash Irishman isn’t worried about size entering his comeback campaign.
“I’d face Jorge,” McGregor said in a recent interview with The Mac Life.
“I’m not going to 170 just for Jorge,” he added.
“I liked the look of that welterweight bout, the welterweight title fight,” McGregor continued. “I like the look of Kamaru Usman, I like the look of Colby. I’m open to it all at 170.”
McGregor, who hasn’t won a fight since knocking out Eddie Alvarez back at UFC 205, has competed at welterweight just twice in his career. Both of those bouts came against Nate Diaz, with McGregor winning the rematch only. The Irishman’s third bout at 170 pounds will come this month against “Cowboy,” who has been a perennial contender at 155 pounds in his own right.
If McGregor can go out and ice Cerrone at 170 pounds in his return to action it may very well open the door for other matchups in the division. And even though fighters like Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington would be nightmare matchups on paper for the Irishman, McGregor is eager to prove his worth and remind his peers of his skills inside of the cage.
“People forget about my skill base,” he said. “I’m going to go in there and remind them. I don’t feel these people are on my level when I’m committed. I have not been committed in awhile, up until about a year ago. I started really committing myself. I look forward to going back and showcasing my skills to the people.”
For complete UFC 246 fight card new click HERE.