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Nicolas Atkin

It seems Conor McGregor’s decision to return to the UFC Octagon at 170 pounds indeed had some extra significance.
The former featherweight and lightweight champion will fight Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at welterweight on January 18 in Las Vegas, after more than a year out.
And UFC president Dana White appeared to confirm what many suspected – that McGregor is coming for the “BMF” title.
“Conor has told me he definitely wants a fight with Masvidal,” White told 101.6-FM in Washington. “So we’ll see what happens.”


McGregor lost to lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomdov by fourth-round submission in October 2018, and had been calling for a rematch after the Russian defeated Dustin Poirier in September.
But it appears the Irishman has set his sights on a big-money fight with Masvidal, who is in line for a crack at the winner of UFC 245’s main event between welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington.
McGregor taking a back seat to Ferguson vs Khabib
White added to 101.6-FM that McGregor said he plans to fight again as soon as possible after UFC 246.
Last month, McGregor teased a fight with Masvidal, tweeting: “Hey @BurgerKing, could I get a 3 piece with soda and a side chicken box please? Loads of salt and vinegar. Thanks.”


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8 of the richest MMA fighters in the world in 2024 – net worths, ranked: from history-making Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey, to undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov and scandal-rocked Brock Lesnar

Conor McGregor

UFC: Dana White says Conor McGregor told him he ‘definitely’ wants Jorge Masvidal fight

Conor McGregor returns to the UFC on January 18. Photo: AFP

UFC: Tony Ferguson vs Khabib fight matters most in MMA – Conor McGregor must take a back seat

Tony Ferguson looks on while competing against Anthony Pettis at UFC 229. Photo: AFP

UFC president Dana White stands between fighters Tony Ferguson, right, and Khabib Nurmagomedov, of Russia, during a news conference for UFC 209, Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Las Vegas. Nurmagomedov and Ferguson are scheduled to battle in a lightweight mixed martial arts fight Saturday in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor of Ireland attends a media briefing in central Moscow on October 24, 2019 to announce his next MMA combat schedule on January 18, 2020 in Las-Vegas. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)

UFC 246: Conor McGregor tells Donald Cerrone to expect ‘bullseye’ vision ahead of scheduled fight

Conor McGregor is scheduled to make his comeback next month in Las Vegas. Photo: AFP

Justin Gaethje, right, celebrates his win over Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone following their lightweight match at UFC Fight Night in Vancouver, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press via AP)

Justin Gaethje warns Conor McGregor ‘you can’t jump over me’ by beating Donald Cerrone to get to Khabib

Justin Gaethje walks off as the referee checks on Donald Cerrone after stopping their fight. Photo: AP

UFC: Conor McGregor puts wheels in motion for mega money Jorge Masvidal fight with welterweight return

Jorge Masvidal (left) looks on during his fight against Nate Diaz. A fight with Conor McGregor (right) seems increasingly likely to happen. Photo: AFP/Reuters

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 02: Jorge Masvidal of the United States is awarded the belt by Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson after his victory by TKO on a medical stoppage against Nate Diaz of the United States in the Welterweight "BMF" championship bout during UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden on November 02, 2019 in New York City. Steven Ryan/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Jorge Masvidal, left, kicks Nate Diaz during the first round of a welterweight mixed martial arts bout at UFC 244 early Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, in New York. Masvidal stopped Diaz in the fourth round. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

(FILES) In this file photo taken on October 4, 2018 Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor poses for cameras following a press conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. - McGregor is under investigation in his native Ireland on an accusation of sexual assault, the New York Times reported on March 26, 2019. The report, in which the Times cited four unnamed sources, came a day after the trash-talking star of the Ultimate Fighting Championship wrote on Twitter that he had decided to retire from his career inside the octagon. (Photo by Isaac Brekken / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)

UFC: Conor McGregor signs deal to fight Donald Cerrone on January 18 at welterweight

Conor McGregor at a news conference in Moscow last month. Photo: AP

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts


Former featherweight and lightweight champion is returning to UFC Octagon at 170 pounds against Donald Cerrone
Welterweight return appears to be setting up mega-money clash with the ‘BMF’ champion



UFC president Dana White confirms Conor McGregor told him he’s targeting a mega-money clash at welterweight with ‘BMF’ champion Jorge Masvidal.


Jorge Masvidal

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

Dana White