Khamzat Chimaev is still willing to bring Conor McGregor into his training camp, even if the Irishman is to leapfrog him for a UFC title opportunity.
The unbeaten Swede has become one of the fastest rising stars in the UFC with his quick wins over former BAMMA champions Rhys McKee and John Phillips, veteran Gerald Meerschaert and top 15-ranked Jingliang Li. And if he can defeat Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 next month, he would be within touching distance of a shot at Kamaru Usman's welterweight title.
But that would be put on the back burner if Conor McGregor is to sneak back into a fight for the belt on his return to the octagon later this year as he has teased. The Irishman has indicated that he will be pushing for an opportunity at an unprecedented third world title when he comes back, which would put the division on hold temporarily.
However, Chimaev has still offered to have McGregor join him and new best pal Darren Till in their new training camp, saying that it's simply a "business" issue if the Irishman takes his shot at the belt. "When I finish Gilbert Burns, I think I am the next for title," Chimaev told fans in a video on his YouTube channel.
"But this is the business. Who is famous, makes more money, they choose them. I understand that. But we'll see what's gonna happen. If he wanna come and train with us, he [is] welcome."
And Chimaev reiterated the call that he made last week to have the Irishman come and join he and Till. He believes that while McGregor could end up getting a title fight, he will need all the help he can get, offering his and his new friend's services to assist in camp.
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He added: "If he [McGregor] wants to be back, if he needs some help then, we're here. If he wants to fight Usman, I think it maybe can happen because the guy is so famous. They can make money, good money, both. That's why if they both want to fight, I think the UFC wants to make it."
McGregor is known more for fighting and featherweight and lightweight, but has said that he doesn't want to cut weight for a belt he already won at 155lb back in 2016. He is reportedly now tipping the scales at more than 190lb, and is returning gradually to contact training.
"I feel confident against Usman," he told The Mac Life last week. "A jab-happy, sloppy, orthodox wrestler with no submissions whatsoever - what's he going to do? Where's the danger here? I don't see danger - no one has ever obtained three titles in three divisions like I will do if we make this fight."
