Conor McGregor is Targeting Championship Gold, Not Just Jorge Masvidal at 170

There’s been extensive talk lately about Conor McGregor possibly fighting Jorge Masvidal at some point in 2020. But, in a recent interview the former lightweight and featherweight champ did, McGregor said his main goal at 170 would be to win the division’s title.

McGregor clarifies goals for welterweight

During a promotional tour McGregor did last fall, the controversial star raised eyebrows throughout MMA, by saying he wants to add the BMF belt to his collection. UFC President Dana White has also said that McGregor wants the BMF crown. That belt, as you surely know, is currently held by Jorge Masvidal, who defeated Nate Diaz (via doctor stoppage) in November to secure the ‘title’.

Well, more recently, McGregor spoke with The MacLife, ahead of his January 18th fight with Donald Cerrone. When asked about the possibility of fighting Masvidal, McGregor said this (quotes via MMA Fighting):

“I’d face Jorge. I’m not going to 170 just for Jorge,” McGregor said. “He hasn’t really got anything. I wasn’t really that happy with how that bad motherf*cker thing ended. I think it’s unfinished. In my opinion, that bout is unfinished. It was only getting into a good bout, I believe. We were robbed of rounds 4 and 5 in that bout.

“But I like that welterweight belt. I liked that welterweight title fight that was on the weekend, I liked the look of that. I liked the look of Kamaru Usman. I liked the look of Colby [Covington]. I’m open to it all at 170.”

“…Gold and I’d say silver cause that bad motherf*cker belt is a silver one, it’s not the best looking belt. I don’t really care about that, I want the gold,” McGregor said. “I’m after the gold. 155 and 170. They’re the belts I am chasing now.”

An interesting twist

This is really interesting to hear. As noted above, up until now, talk about McGregor competing at 170 moving forward was tied to a bout with Masvidal. So the fact McGregor’s not even that interested in the BMF title and wants to make a title run at 170 is pretty big news.

Now, all that said, a lot has to fall into place before any of that can happen.

First off, McGregor needs to get by Cerrone, and White’s said that if the “Notorious” star wins  at UFC 246 he’ll be next in line for the 155 title (it’s important to note Khabib’s repeatedly argued McGregor needs to record multiple wins before receiving a rematch). McGregor has also said he wants to be ready as a replacement for the April 18th bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson.

So, will a bout with Masvidal really materialize in the interim, in light of McGregor’s comments above? And if not, when would McGregor take more fights at 170?