C. McGregor wants to fight three times in 2020. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @thenotoriousmma
The former featherweight (up to 65,7kg) and lightweight (up to 70,3kg) champion, Conor McGregor, finally returned to the MMA spotlight. After officially announcing his return to the octagon, on January 18, against Donald Cerrone, the Irishman projects a busy 2020 within mixed martial arts. According to 'ESPN' reporter, Ariel Helwani, the 'Notório' has already drawn up plans for the likely opponents next year.
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“He (Conor) presented this plan that he wants to perform three times next year. He hasn't done it in over three years either, so it's a pretty lofty goal, but he believes that when he's active, he's not getting distracted, he's not getting into trouble, he's very focused." . “People are telling me right now that they haven’t seen him this focused in a long time. We hear this a lot in the fight game, but he's going to bed early, he's going to wake up early. He wants to prove to everyone who thinks he was shot that they are wrong,” said Ariel.
McGregor, who gained worldwide fame after changing the direction of fight promotions in Ultimate and ensuring his success after great performances, ended up losing his career, accumulating problems outside the sport, including lawsuits for sexual assault and harassment. Away from the Octagon since October last year and without winning a fight since 2016, the athlete, until a few weeks ago, had his name involved more in extra-MMA problems than in his successes in the sport.
The athlete's return could mean a new starting point. For Helwani, the Irishman is focused on returning to a prominent place within the UFC. With his head focused solely on mixed martial arts, the 'Notório' will try to prove that he can still achieve great things and bring back the fighter who was once considered the organization's biggest star.
“McGregor wants to prove to everyone who thought he was finished that they were, in fact, wrong. So, Conor wants to fight in January (he wanted to fight in December, but the UFC didn't give him that chance); then, in the middle of the year, perhaps against Jorge masvidal ou Nate diaz. At the end of 2020, he wants to face Khabib Nurmagomedov in Moscow. Conor McGregor He wants to win the first two fights next year to fight for the lightweight title and shut everyone up,” declared Helwani.
The last time the Irishman accomplished the feat of making three appearances in one year was three years ago. On that occasion, the athlete fought his two fights against Nate diaz and, at the end of the year, he became the first athlete in the company's history to hold two titles in different divisions at the same time. The fighter achieved the feat after defeating Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight belt in the main fight of UFC 205.
McGregor's plans, however, depend exclusively on the fighter performing well. First of all, the Irishman needs to prove that he is, in fact, in great shape and defeat his opponents with property, in order to reach the ultimate objective, which is to repeat the duel against Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The Russian has declared that, for Conor to get another chance to fight for the belt, he must deserve it. By carrying out significant clashes, the athlete may be able to regain his position as challenger.
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