Conor McGregor’s recent interview may have put the MMA world on notice for his imminent return, but one current UFC champion isn’t too impressed.
In a wide-ranging interview with his site The Mac Life, McGregor touched on a number of talking points ahead of his return to the octagon against Donald Cerrone in a welterweight bout at UFC 246. And his stated intention to go for the UFC’s 170-pound title drew comment from the man who currently holds the strap, Kamaru Usman.
“I like that welterweight title fight,” McGregor said. “I’d like to look at that. I’d like to look at Kamaru Usman. I’d like to look at Colby (Covington). I’m open to it all at 170… I want the gold. I’m after the gold, 155 (or) 170. They’re the belts I’m chasing now.”
Usman stopped rival Covington in the final minute of the final round at UFC 245 to cement his position as the UFC’s premier 170-pound fighter. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, McGregor’s comments prompted a response from “The Nigerian Nightmare”, who warned the returning Irishman to be careful what he wished for, while also predicting defeat for the Dubliner against Cerrone on Jan. 18.
My man @TheNotoriousMMA please just go in there and take your L from cowboy. Don’t even dream of this WW strap because that dream can turn into a Nightmare fast.
McGregor returns to action against Cerrone in the welterweight main event at UFC 246, while Usman’s next move is less certain as he recovers from his five-round war with Covington at UFC 245, though “BMF” champ Masvidal and in-form Brit Leon Edwards currently look well placed to get the next shot at Usman’s title later this year.
