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Followed by ‘another run’ in 2020.
It sounds like former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight champion, Conor McGregor, is going to make his return to mixed martial arts (MMA) at some point later this year, assuming the promotion can find him the right opponent.
While names like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier have both been on the table, McGregor’s head coach, John Kavanagh, would prefer to see “Notorious” go to war with another ex-champion in the form of longtime veteran Frankie Edgar.
“I think him and Frankie Edgar would be a great fight,” Kavanagh told The Mac Life. “I think it was in the works when Conor was kind of going on that featherweight tear. He’s an ex-champion, great fighter. Yeah, if it was me, I would love to see the Frankie Edgar fight this year if possible. And then go on another run in 2020.”
Edgar, who turns 38 next month, is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Max Holloway at UFC 240 back in July. The plan was to have the featherweight “Answer” drop down to 135 pounds; however, the former lightweight is willing to put those plans on hold for a crack at McGregor.
“Frankie has a style that’s very difficult to deal with,” Kavanagh said. “But it’s also one we’re somewhat familiar with. Even from his first fight with [Marcus] Brimage. This small, fast guy, quick hands, wrestling. But Frankie’s just been in there with everybody. World champion, beaten legends like B.J. Penn and so on. I just think that’s a great match for the fans and for me. I’d love to see it.”
McGregor has not competed since his submission loss to Nurmagomedov over one year back and has found himself in all sorts of legal trouble during his absence. The sooner he can get his next fight booked, the better for all parties involved.