Speaking at the UFC 194 post-fight press conference, UFC head of PR Dave Sholler relayed two scenarios which Dana White envisons for Conor McGregor's next fight.
The first is a defence of his featherweight belt against Frankie Edgar. The second is a lightweight title shot against the winner of next weekend's Dos Anjos vs Cerrone fight.
The latter, according to Sholler, would mean McGregor vacating his featherweight belt.
The Dubliner has different plans though. He wishes to retain the featherweight belt and have a shot at the lightweight title.
If I go up to that lightweight division, there is no way in hell I'm vacating my [featherweight] belt; that's not happening. There will be a belt on one shoulder and a belt on the other shoulder.
I understand why, previously, they would have fighters do that, because many fighters do not fight as frequently as I do. Tell me how many fights I've had in the past year. I'm busy. I stay active. I'm fresh.
When I go up and take that lightweight belt, I will still be the featherweight champion also.
I will be a dual weight champion.
He also further expanded on how he sees events playing out.
I'm not considering leaving the featherweight division for good. I am the unified champion. This is my division. I say what I do now.
There's a couple of contenders in the mix. Let them contend against each other while I go up and take the lightweight belt, allow a contender to emerge and go back down and take out that contender. Then, go back up after a lightweight contender has emerged and take out that contender.
That's the career path I feel taking shape.
McGregor's trainer, John Kavanagh, apparently told Dana White that the 27-year-old will never again make the cut to 145.
The new undisputed UFC featherweight champion sounded less certain in this matter.
I giggle all the time, because everytime I step on the scales and step off the scales, everyone's like 'It's the worst I've ever seen him. He better rehydrate correct or he's in a hell of a lot of trouble.'
Don't get me wrong. It's a tough weight cut, but tell me one time I've missed it. Tell me one time I haven't shown up the next day fresh.
Everyone up there on stage who makes weight is not in the freshest of states, but this is the business.
This time in, I did it professionally. I cut no corners. I had a guy in who was helping me with the structure of it. I trusted in the structure and the weight came off me.
Is it easy? No. But I get it done, like a professional.
Picture credit: Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE
