Conor McGregor returns for the first time in over a year this Sunday (AEDT) against Donald Cerrone, but that did not stop questions being asked about future potential opponents.
While rematches with Khabib Nurmagomedov and Nate Diaz appear high in the pecking order of casual fan interest, the question was posed to McGregor as to whether he would be interested in returning to featherweight to fight the current UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski.
“Maybe it’s a little too much, but I’d never say never,” McGregor responded.
🇦🇺🇳🇿 @TheNotoriousMMA has nothing but nice things to say about Australia and New Zealand! #UFC246 pic.twitter.com/WtAmqAygj5
— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) January 16, 2020
McGregor made his name in the UFC going on one of the most impressive runs in featherweight history between 2013 and 2015.
McGregor racked up seven wins in the UFC featherweight division which culminated in the 13 second knockout of then featherweight champ Jose Aldo.
McGregor was later stripped of the featherweight title as he fought up in weight at welterweight and then lightweight.
Having not fought at featherweight since 2015, it seems unlikely McGregor would be eager to go back down, but he would not rule out the possibility at today’s UFC 246 press conference.
“I made 153 (pounds) against Floyd comfortably,” McGregor continued.
“I’m comfortably floating below 170 now, I could make 155 handy.
“I could do it, whether I would or not, probably not for Alex at this time certainly. I’d be interested to see the rematch with him and Max, I thought it was a good fight.”
Thank you @TheNotoriousMMA ❤️🇦🇺 #UFC246 pic.twitter.com/CsNIMQ8Uu9
— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) January 16, 2020
Australia’s Alex Volkanovski now holds the featherweight title formerly held by McGregor.
Volkanovski has gone on an equally impressive run in the UFC featherweight division, having won 8 fights in a row on his way to winning the title over Max Holloway this past December.
Both McGregor and Volkanovski hold wins over former featherweight champions Aldo and Holloway but have never fought each other.
McGregor went on to praise Australian and New Zealand fighters for what they had recently achieved in the sport.
“The rise of Australia is phenomenal,” McGregor said.
“We have Israel Adesanya, I know he’s a New Zealander, and then we have Rob Whittaker.
“Its great to see the Aussies and Kiwis rising up in the sport, they are phenomenal fighters and its exciting times.”
