Conor McGregor is planning to campaign for a UFC title shot at welterweight after facing Michael Chandler - and could be cageside for Leon Edwards' rematch with Kamaru Usman.
The UFC star will return for the first time in nearly two years when he takes on Chandler this year as part of the UFC's latest instalment of The Ultimate Fighter. McGregor has been going through extensive rehabilitation since breaking his leg almost two years ago and has piled on the pounds showing off a ripped physique since taking time away from fighting action.
McGregor himself has claimed on multiple occasions that he intends to meet Chandler at 170lb despite official confirmation yet to be made, where the belt is currently held by British star Leon Edwards. And the 34-year-old has suggested he will attend Edwards' clash with Usman on Saturday to size up his potential rivals.
"I'd like a welterweight title shot," McGregor said during an appearance on the MMA Hour. "So I would like that. I am definitely ready for 170lb. "I'd like to see myself in there again and see what happens with that division. I'd like to get in and see what's going on in there.
“I may be present for the card [Edwards v Usman 3], we are making moves at the Black Forge in London, so I was scheduled to go out there so after this, Gunni’s (Gunnar Nelson) also on the card so it would be good to see him live. It would be good to watch that welterweight title for sure.”
The 170lb crown is currently held by Edwards who snatched it from Usman last time out with a sensational last-gasp KO win to become the next British champion. McGregor's last win came at 170lb against Donald Cerrone, but he will need a significant improvement in form having lost three out of his four previous fights.
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His superstar status on the UFC roster alone could see him earn a title shot, with 155lb king Islam Makhachev already having offered him a route to a belt. And 'Rocky' Edwards himself has suggested a title clash at welterweight would be easy to make given the pair's same management team.
"That would make it easier to happen, everyone would know where to stand as far as negotiating contracts with the UFC," Edwards said. "If we've got the same manager, that should mean it would be easier to happen. I think he [McGregor] probably will come back, he's got big now as well so I think he'll definitely come back at welterweight and like I said, we've got the same management team so it's a fight that would be easy to make if it was to happen.
"Do I think I'd win? 100 per cent. I think I'm the younger and more technical fighter but my focus isn't on Conor at all, because I've got killers around me who are active now that are more challenging that McGregor."
