Chael Sonnen: Conor McGregor Is The Number One Contender At 170lbs
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor has called out numerous fighters recently, as he looks to return to the Octagon later this year. Although the Irishman is expected to fight in the lightweight division, the former UFC superstar-turned-analyst Chael Sonnen, doesn’t share this impression.
Sonnen told Sky Sports (as transcribed by BJPenn.com), that he believes McGregor will fight at welterweight next, possibly against Jorge Masvidal or Nate Diaz.
“Conor is looking for something else to do. That is where Jorge Masvidal possibly comes into play, I think that’s where Nate Diaz trilogy comes into play. I just don’t know that I am convinced that Conor’s next fight is at 155 pounds.”
Sonnen even took it up a notch, and argued that McGregor can be seen as the number one contender at welterweight as well.
“I think he’s going to fight at 170 and I think you could have the argument that Conor’s the number one contender at 170. Look, if they do Usman and Masvidal and I hope they do and I hope that all gets worked out and we are just seeing some gamesmanship here,” Sonnen said. “I think that’s really is the right fight to do. I’m not sure you can’t say Conor’s not next in line. There are a number of good arguments, Leon Edwards comes to mind, you’ve always got T-Wood [Tyron Woodley] in there, Colby Covington.
“Conor’s name is just as good as anyone I just threw out,” he continued. “The guy has won three world championships. He diminishes himself saying he’s a champ-champ. He is a champ-champ-champ, he’s won so many damn world championships he’s forgotten about the interim title. I was there for the night he beat Chad Mendes, I was there when they put that around his waist. He’s got three world championships. Don’t tell me Conor McGregor doesn’t matter, he does.”
Regardless of Sonnen’s comments, the manager of Kamaru Usman, Ali Abdelaziz, verbally offered McGregor a fight against the champion, few days ago, after the Irishman himself tweeted that he’s coming for the welterweight title.
Do you agree with Chael Sonnen, is Conor McGregor the number one contender at 170lbs?
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