Having been the first UFC champion to hold belts in two weight classes simultaneously, Connor McGregor aims to set another record by holding a championship belt at a third weight class.
Connor McGregor last fought on July 10th, 2021. The fight was highly anticipated, and according to a report from Sports Business Journal, “PPV buys came over just under 1.8 million globally.” Unfortunately, the fight ended early, and in round one, Connor fell back against the cage as Poirier followed with punches. The call from the Irishman of “doctor stoppage” long imprinted on the psyche of MMA fans watching on. The result was Dustin Poirier having his hand raised and Connor leaving the arena via stretcher, the result of a broken tibia. Truly ironic considering the Irishman’s promise to “put Dustin in a stretcher and send him to the hospital.”
Connor McGregor Packs on the Muscle
The seemingly omniscient Irishman is again in the spotlight, though MMA fans may argue that since his rise, he has never been truly in the dark, incognito. The spotlight today casts a larger shadow than usual. Connor McGregor has been showing off his muscular physique on Twitter, a long cry from the featherweight who, at one time, looked ghastly stepping on the scales.
The speculation turns to what weight class Connor McGregor will compete in when and if he returns to the octagon. On Pub Talk, the Irishman said to Oscar Willis, “I’m eyeballing one-seventy. I think…I like myself at one-seventy,”. He explained that he felt better in the fight preparation and on the night of the fights. Connor McGregor has fought Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone, winning via TKO in the first minute, and a Nathan Diaz rematch while competing at welterweight, which he also won.
“I thought there were flawless performances, they were probably my best performances in the UFC octagon”
Connor McGregor, speaking about his fights at welterweight.
McGregor Eyes up Welterweight Title Bout
Although, the landscape of the targeted welterweight division is rapidly changing. Fighters such as Khamzat Chimaev, Sean Brady and Shavkat Rakhmonov are undefeated, upcoming welterweight contenders, and they would all relish the opportunity to take a McGregor sized scalp. The Irishman is looking beyond them. He told Oscar Willis he plans to “waltz back into a title fight” against Usman. Speaking to the MacLife podcast, he admitted he “doesn’t see a danger” fighting Usman. The Irishman referred to Usman’s fighting style as “a jab happy, sloppy, orthodox wrestler with no submissions whatsoever.”
Kamaru Usman is the pound-for-pound best fighter in the UFC and welterweight champion. Usman thinks McGregor is “just a clout chaser”. When interviewed by Sky Sports, the current champion was asked if the McGregor fight was worth it. He replied, “to be honest, the real competitor in me is like no”. Although, he concedes that McGregor is a “top contender” and does not close the door on a possible fight.
Can Connor McGregor secure a fight against Kamaru Usman? And, if so, will he go on to become the welterweight champion?
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