CONOR McGREGOR WILL fight outside the featherweight division for the first time since he joined the UFC tonight and the 145lbs champion certainly appears to be savouring the added benefits that come with it.
McGregor, who faces Nate Diaz in a welterweight (170lbs) bout at UFC 196 in Las Vegas, comfortably made weight last night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, tipping the scales with a couple of pounds to spare at 168lbs.
The 27-year-old Dubliner’s demeanour was in stark contrast to what we’ve come to expect from him on weigh-in day. He emerged looking energetic and content, as he rubbed his belly to signify that he has enjoyed the luxury of eating and drinking right up until he stepped on the scales, which is something he certainly couldn’t do before.
Competing at 145lbs, McGregor needed to subject his drained body to severe dehydration as he cut an enormous amount of weight to come in under the featherweight limit. But moving up a couple of divisions has removed that inconvenience.
Fans have become accustomed to seeing McGregor looking extremely gaunt at the weigh-ins, but that wasn’t the case last night. The Straight Blast Gym fighter appeared strong and healthy in comparison to when he weighed in at 145lbs to face Jose Aldo in December.
There’s been increasing speculation — as we examined earlier this week — that the extreme weight-cut will result in McGregor never returning to compete at featherweight, as the Irish star has discussed winning further UFC titles and lightweight and welterweight.
UFC president Dana White told FOX Sports last night that he doesn’t expect McGregor to return to featherweight if he picks up another win against Nate Diaz.
“I think if he wins impressively tomorrow, he doesn’t even go back to 145 [pounds]. That’s what I think,” said White. “That weight-cut is horrible for him. He looks terrible. I’m sure he feels terrible. I think he stays at 170 if he wins tomorrow.”
