Conor McGregor willing to go to welterweight to fight Diego Sanchez

Conor McGregor apparently is pretty serious about fighting UFC vet Diego Sanchez.

The fighters recently traded barbs on Twitter, though McGregor has verbally jousted with a large portion of the UFC’s roster. So when McGregor, a featherweight, called for a fight with Sanchez, who’s considered returning to the welterweight division, it may have been easy to dismiss.

However, McGregor (14-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC), who’s competed at featherweight and lightweight, said he’d be willing to go to 170 pounds for a fight with Sanchez (24-6 MMA, 13-6 UFC), as he mentioned in the duo’s latest back-and-forth.

@DiegoSanchezUFC @AndyUFCFan My very first request was for it to be at 170lb. Ive already messaged Dana and Shelby. This fight WILL happen.

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 1, 2013

If the fight does eventually happen, Sanchez could fit in another bout before then. The fighter, who recently lost to lightweight contender Gilbert Melendez in a “Fight of the Year” candidate, is gunning for a slot on the March 15 UFC 171 event in Dallas.

McGregor, meanwhile, is recovering from surgery for a torn ACL that will likely keep him on the sidelines until mid-2014.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Diego Sanchez)