Conor McGregor has long been open about his desire to hold UFC gold in different weight classes. After winning the featherweight title at UFC 194, he appears ready to take another huge step in realizing that goal.
UFC President Dana White said early Sunday morning that, should McGregor make good on his pledge to move up to the 155-pound lightweight division, he would receive an immediate shot at the title.
“The funny thing is that [McGregor coach] John Kavanagh in the Octagon said he’ll never make 145 again,” White said during the Fox Sports 1 post-fight show, per Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie. “I’d bring him straight in for a title shot. ...They’ve been talking about going to 155, but you never know with Conor.”
"I'd bring him straight in for a title fight" - @danawhite on Conor McGregor fighting at 155. #UFC194 https://t.co/6nsnJ1In0x
— FOX Sports Live (@FOXSportsLive) December 13, 2015
UFC spokesman Dave Sholler subsequently confirmed White’s statement at the UFC 194 post-fight news conference.
Chances of the move seemed stronger than ever after McGregor dropped the interim tag from his featherweight belt in the UFC 194 main event. Just seconds into his bout with lineal champ Jose Aldo, McGregor fired a left hook that caused Aldo to pitch forward and fall on his face. One perfunctory hammer strike later and referee John McCarthy waved off the contest. The official result was a knockout in a mere 13 seconds.
Also at the post-fight news conference, McGregor reiterated his desire to move to lightweight shortly after the fight.
"We have some options. We have some decisions to make," he said. "Most certainly I’m looking to replicate what I did in my previous promotion: a two-weight world champion held consecutively. I said I would do it. And I will do it.”
At the same time, he noted that he had no plans to vacate his new featherweight crown and acknowledged that he's still interested in certain featherweight matchups, including with Frankie Edgar, who defeated Chad Mendes Friday night with a left-hook knockout of his own.
“When I go up for that lightweight belt, I will still be a featherweight champion also," McGregor said. "I will be a dual-weight champion. The belts will still be active, because I am active. ... You’ve got Frankie, who had a good win last night. That could be for the featherweight belt; maybe a Jose rematch or [the] 155-pound strap. I enjoy options. Options are a good thing in the fight game.”
The 27-year-old McGregor (19-2) may have more options than any other fighter in MMA right now. With former women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey losing her strap to Holly Holm at UFC 193, McGregor may have just become the new face of the sport.
Time will tell for sure what awaits McGregor and the UFC. In the meantime, lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos defends his title against Donald Cerrone—two men with whom McGregor has conveniently traded words—at UFC on Fox 17 on December 19.
Also in the lightweight division, there is a certain fighter named Joe Duffy, otherwise known as the last man to defeat McGregor. Duffy, who is also Irish, did the deed back in 2010 in the British Cage Warriors promotion.
