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While fight fans weren’t all that surprised to see UFC book Conor McGregor against Donald Cerrone in his comeback fight later this month at UFC 246, many were caught off guard when finding out the main event will be contested at 170 pounds.
McGregor, who hasn’t fought inside of the Octagon since October 2018, has only competed twice before at the welterweight level. Both of those fights came against Nate Diaz back in 2016, in which McGregor seemed slower, less powerful, and more susceptible to gassing than ever before.
The former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion has had more time this time around to pack on the muscle and settle in to compete at 170 pounds, but many believe his upcoming matchup with Cerrone still favors “Cowboy.”
While Cerrone would have taken a fight with McGregor at 155 pounds — a division “Cowboy” has competed in since the start of his career — the veteran is more than happy to oblige “Notorious” and wipe away one nasty weight cut.
“He just took the edge off,” said Cerrone during a recent edition of his documentary series “More than a Cowboy.” “A lot of cutting that weight, … making it to fight week is just battling the weight cut, but now we get to go in there and have fun. Oh, man. Thank you!”
Cerrone, 36, is coming off back-to-back knockout losses at 155 pounds to top contenders Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje. The veteran fighter was on the doorstep of a potential title fight before suffering those defeats and is hoping to regain that momentum with a win over McGregor.
Even though Cerrone would have been better off defeating “Notorious” at 155 pounds in order to make a push at Khabib Nurmagomedov’s lightweight title, “Cowboy” didn’t bat an eye when McGregor called for a heavier clash at welterweight.
“That was Conor’s idea,” Cerrone said. “We were already gearing up, trying to get down towards 155, and he said let’s do it at ’70 and I was like, ‘Done. OK’. It never mattered to me – weight never mattered to me either.
“The only problem me fighting … when I was up at ’70, are those guys are big. Big, big. I’m like 177 right now, 178, and that’s like eating whatever I want. I think he wants to enjoy the holidays with his family and eat and drink, get in there and have fun, so I don’t blame him. Why not?”
This is a massive fight for both superstars. For McGregor, this is his best chance to recapture glory inside of the Octagon, record his first knockout finish since 2016, and make 2020 an unforgettable year. As for Cerrone, this is his best opportunity to avenge his recent losses and prove he’s still one of the top fighters in the game so late into his career.
What do you think, Maniacs? Does Cerrone have the advantage over McGregor at 170 pounds?
Let us know!
For complete UFC 246 fight card new click HERE.