UFC 246: Kamaru Usman says Conor McGregor has ‘to come to me’ for world title fight
Conor McGregor is still the biggest drawcard in UFC despite his long absence from the octagon, and a world title fight is likely should he win in his return. But the current champ had a direct message for the Irish superstar.
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The champion was cordial, the top contender promised unmitigated violence, but the message for Conor McGregor was the same – if the Irish superstar wants to chase a third world title, he’s welcome to try.
McGregor’s return to the cage on Sunday (AEST) against Donald Cerrone will take place at welterweight, and such is McGregor’s star power that a single victory could well propel him into title contention.
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Current champion Kamaru Usman or knockout artist Jorge Masvidal could well be McGregor’s next opponent should he earn his first UFC win since 2016.
“I’m the champion. That’s it, plain and simple. They have to come to me, and there’s a reason, now, they talk about me,” Usman said.
“I’m in the position where I don’t have to beg for fights anymore, they have to come to me.
“If Conor wants it, Conor can get it too. I don’t discriminate on the ass-whooping.”
For his part, McGregor admitted the lure of welterweight is why Sunday’s bout will be fought at 170 pounds (77 kilos).
“Let’s be real - it’s the McGregor multi-million dollar fight club. Donald’s next up, this will be a multi-million dollar payday for Donald, up from a couple hundred thousand.
“All their eyes are lighting up when the Notorious’ name is mentioned.
“I made this bout at 170 for the excitement that’s going on in that division, and my want to get in there with the situation.”
Masvidal is the logical opponent for Usman’s next title defence, but the 35-year old’s star has never shone brighter, with three straight knockout wins, including a remarkable four-second KO of Ben Askren, helping build the kind of profile that would make a McGregor match a lucrative proposition.
“Conor has flirted with the idea of fighting me, and if me and Conor goes into the Octagon, what happens is it’s one of the biggest fights in history,” Masvidal said.
“Somebody will always have the belt at 170 pounds. It doesn’t really matter if it’s Kamaru, Conor is a bigger fight.
“In my world, how violent I am is all that separates me from the next person.
“Most people here are paying for violence, they’re not paying for this talking stuff.
“On that Saturday night, when they want to let their mind go and be entertained, they’re paying for violence, and nothing else.
“The more violent I am, the more people love it. People love violence, man. They just want to see that, they want to see people get hurt. I’ll oblige them, I’ll do it.”