UFC: Coach Owen Roddy Gives Update On Conor McGregor’s Next Fight
Conor McGregor burst back on the scene this past January, when he stopped ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone in just 40 seconds of the first round in the UFC 246 main event. The big question is now, when and where will the Irishman fight next? Speaking to ESPN‘s Ariel Helwani, his striking coach Owen Roddy shed some light on the 31 year old’s potential next fight.
Asked if McGregor is set to return in July at UFC 252, during the UFC’s International Fight Week, Roddy said he hopes so.
“Yeah, that’s the plan, hopefully. Bring the UFC back to life with all of these shows being cancelled and stuff like that. I think a fight on July 11th would bring the UFC back to life and get everybody back on track. So my fingers are crossed and I’m sure the rest of the world’s fingers are crossed for that fight.”
There has been speculation that McGregor will face Justin Gaethje next. And if it was up to Coach Roddy, that’s exactly who Conor would fight next. Although he adds that the former two division UFC champion is ready to face anyone.
“Anyone to be honest but maybe Gaethje. There’s a lot of talk of Gaethje. He’s an exciting fighter, Gaethje. I would like to see it, I’m sure you would like to see it and I’m sure the rest of the world would like to see it. Potentially that but to be honest, anyone. I know Conor’s raring to go. I know everyone’s going to be rearing to go by the time July comes around.”
Ahead of UFC 246, McGregor spoke of how he wanted to treat 2020 like a season and fight three times. And while he has been chasing a rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor has hinted that he doesn’t want to wait till the end of the year to fight the winner of Khabib and Tony Ferguson, who fight for the UFC lightweight title at UFC 249 (fingers crossed!).
Gaethje, and his manager Ali Abdelaziz, have both been campaigning for a fight with McGregor. The fight does make a lot of sense. Many fans believed that ‘The Highlight’ deserved to welcome Conor back to the Octagon instead of ‘Cowboy’ and he’s also won his last three fights, all by first round stoppage.
Do you agree with Coach Owen Roddy? Would you like to see Conor McGregor fight Justin Gaethje next?
UPDATE:
A quick little update. While Coach John Kavanagh can’t shed any light on who McGregor will face next, he did confirm that Conor is training hard.
“I honestly don’t know. What’s next for Conor, I don’t know. I can tell you he’s training away, he’s keeping his discipline, he’s keeping his focus, his consistency is there in his training, we’re waiting for the call up, and excited for whoever it will be.”
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