They could squeeze this one in before the end of the year.
Conor McGregor created history in November 2016 when he became the first UFC fighter to hold belts in two different divisions. By defeating Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205, ‘The Notorious’ added the lightweight belt to the featherweight strap he had won in 2015 by beating Jose Aldo.
Daniel Cormier has since equalled that record and is the reigning light heavyweight and heavyweight champion. McGregor, in the meantime, has been forced to relinquish his two belts, but that did not stop him from coming to the UFC 229 press conference with both of his straps.
The 30-year-old can take back that “undisputed” title from Khabib Nurmagomedov in June and he has been offered another title fight if he negotiates in October 6 hurdle against ‘The Eagle’.
UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley is keen. ‘The Chosen One’ told TMZ:
Credit: TMZ“I’ll be at UFC 229. I’ll be working the (commentary) desk… I would say Khabib to win but, just for selfish purposes, if Conor wins then the only fight that makes sense is for him to fight me. Try and get that third belt.
“My mind says Khabib but my bank account and my legacy says Conor. I would take that fight in a heartbeat.”
McGregor and Woodley had beef during the weigh-ins before UFC 205 and the welterweight champion says it was because he mocked him on social media. Woodley commented:
“Conor was like, ‘You’re like a little girl with that camera-phone. You’re like a little woman.”
https://twitter.com/MMAMadDale/status/797094517618966528
Asked for a prediction on a possible fight with McGregor, Woodley claimed the Dubliner would get smashed as he is ‘too little’.
Would McGregor be willing to jump up to the 170lb division again? One suspects a tilt at a third UFC belt would pique his interest, and be a needle-mover.
Ahead of his first fight against Nate Diaz, in January 2016, McGregor was asked about his jump from featherweight to welterweight. He responded:
“The only weight I give a f**k about is the weight of them cheques, and my cheques are super-heavyweight.”
UFC 232 is scheduled for the T-Mobile Arena on December 29 and with Woodley missing out on UFC 230 in New York, both men would have plenty of time to prepare for this one.
