The Notorious isn’t for turning.
Conor’s McGregor’s next fight has been announced, and there is no-one surprised that it is going to be a rematch with Nate Diaz after the events of earlier this month
It was one of the worst-kept secrets in MMA for the last few weeks, but the biggest shock from the overnight announcement is the weight category both men have decided to grapple with again.
The welterweight contest earlier this month was hastily arranged between both after the withdrawal of Rafael dos Anjos for a lightweight title fight.
Neither McGregor or Diaz are natural welterweights, and there was a guarded caution around the 27-year-old UFC featherweight champion moving up again after he admitted he was gassed in his loss to Diaz on March 5th.
However Dana White revealed last night that, despite arguing with the Dubliner to go back and defend his 145 crown, the Irishman he was hell-bent on fighting Diaz at welterweight again.
White admitted that not even John Kavanagh could persuade McGregor to fight at lightweight or featherweight again.
“After the fight, Lorenzo (Fertitta) and I went up to Conor’s house that he’s renting here in Las Vegas and started talking about what are you thinking, what’s next?”
“And he was obsessed – obsessed – with fighting Nate Diaz again. Obviously, Lorenzo and I tried to argue with him and say, ‘Let’s go back down to ’45 and defend your title, or if you really want the Diaz fight that bad, do it at ’55.’ But he wants to fight at 170.
“Even his coach, John Kavanagh, tried to get him to get off this rematch and off the 170-pound fight, but it’s what he wanted. And he’s going to get it.”
He’s now got what he really wanted, and judging by whom he has been spotted with most recently, perhaps he is hoping to improve his boxing skills to get the better of the Stockton native this time around.
Me and Irish boxing legend Steve 'The Celtic Warrior' Collins! #IrishLegend pic.twitter.com/z9deU5sxxE
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 30, 2016
