– Niall Kelly reports from Las Vegas
CONOR MCGREGOR SAID that there is “no problem” with him dropping back to featherweight to defend his UFC title — except for the lack of attractive fights in the 145lbs division.
McGregor jumps a massive 25lbs this weekend to face Nate Diaz in the welterweight main event at UFC 196 in Las Vegas.
His coach John Kavanagh has claimed that “you’ve seen Conor on salads, now watch what he’s like on steak,” while McGregor feels that avoiding the draining weight cut has given him a lot more energy.
Although he wants to make history as the first UFC fighter to simultaneously hold belts in two different weight classes, there is now speculation that he might not defend the featherweight strap he spectacularly won from Jose Aldo in December and instead move up to challenge at lightweight and welterweight.
“Making that cut to 145, people only see the build-up, the fight,” McGregor said after performing for fans at an open workout in the MGM Grand on Wednesday.
“People don’t see after the fight. It’s a process to get your body back after a strenuous cut like that.
“This time, I’m waking up at 168lbs. I’m waking up under weight so after the fight I won’t have that process to get myself back right again. I’ll be just me, normally.
“I can go back to 145, no problem. Who is there though? Let me see some of these damn bums get up and fight and make some noise.
I just hear crying, complaining, please, begging, all this shit. I don’t see nothing appealing. They need to build themselves up right now.
“I’m sitting pretty up here. They need to fight and make some noise, make me stand up and say ‘Okay, I’ll take him in.’ That’s what I need to see.
Aldo turned down the opportunity for a rematch with McGregor after Rafael dos Anjos pulled out of the lightweight title superfight that was originally set to take place this weekend.
Frankie Edgar, another of the top contenders at 145, was also forced to turn down the late call-up due to injury.
McGregor added: “Right now I see a bunch of complainers, whiners – ‘Oh, I’m sitting it out, I’m going to wait.’ When have I ever waited? I’ve never waited once.
Even now, title shot is gone, did I wait? No, I took this fight. I had the title shot after Poirier, did I wait? No, I took the Siver fight. That’s what champions do. That’s what generates interest.
“I’m a hungry motherfucker that does not care who is in his way. I just see a lot of crying, complaining babies in the game now. I’ll take Nate out, I’ll sit and I’ll wait.”
Dos Anjos’ foot injury robbed McGregor of the chance to make history on Saturday night but he isn’t losing sleep over the fact that there’s no title on the line against Diaz.
It’s always a superfight when I’m in town. This is the number and straps life. Take out a strap, it’s still the numbers life. That’s it.
“I’m here for a fight. Let’s see if this guy can fight. He’s talked a fair bit.
“If you’ve been following me or him you’ll know that there’s been subtle digs over the course of the last year or two years where he’s said this and said that. Now all of a sudden he’s a scared little brother of some sort.
“Let’s see what he has to say. I’m here for a fight and a cheque and that’s it. Fuck the belt.”
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