Conor McGregor Says The “Who” Does Not Matter, Won’t Wait For Khabib Nurmagomedov Rematch

Leading up to UFC 246, Dana White repeatedly said that if Conor McGregor beat Donald Cerrone, he would receive another shot at the lightweight title. Well, after McGregor’s impressive win, White was quick to repeat that plan. But, based off what McGregor said following the card, it seems clear he has no intention of waiting on the sidelines in 2020.

McGregor says the “who” does not matter

McGregor returned to the Octagon on Saturday for the first time since 2018, when he was submitted by lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov. As the controversial predicted would be the case, he scored a jaw-dropping win, as he put Cerrone away with strikes in just 40 seconds.

During the post-fight press conference, White outlined why he wants to give McGregor a title shot. He also argued that a rematch with Khabib could be the biggest fight in combat sports history. But, when McGregor was asked about his next fight, the former champ said this (quotes via MMA Mania):

“I don’t think the ‘who’ matters,” McGregor said. “I think okay, the Lightweight title will be there. That will be there. You see the difference in the physique, the preparation and all that. That will come back around, that shot. So I’m certainly not — if the [Khabib vs. Tony] fight does go ahead — sitting out and waiting and then wait through holidays and injuries and everything that goes with it. The who doesn’t matter to me now. I’m looking at dates now. I know March was there. I’m gonna have a look at a calendar and see where we’re at.”

”Like I said, the who does not matter,” he said. “F–k Khabib. The who does not matter. The opponents that I line up are likely all inevitable. Sometimes it takes a while to come back around. Look at the Donald situation. Me and Donald have been going back and forth since 2015. We’re involved in this business and we’ll be here a long time. It’s forever, so there’s no rush on anything. And the who does not matter. It’s just keeping myself in shape, focused, and take it as it comes.”

Are the comments surprising?

Should these comments come as a surprise? Not really. For sometime now, McGregor has been saying he wants to have an active year and that he intends to fight three times. So, if Nurmagomedov – Ferguson proceeds on April 18th, then could mean the lightweight belt wouldn’t be up for grabs again until late summer, early fall.

So, in theory, that timeline would allow McGregor to fight for a third time before the year is out. But, as he alluded to, all it would take is an injury, scheduling conflicts etc, and his plan would be punted.

In other words, it seems clear McGregor has no intention of sitting on the sidelines for seven, eight months, waiting for a fight.