In the hours immediately after Conor McGregor's featherweight title victory last weekend, it emerged, via UFC president Dana White, that there were two possbilities for the Dubliner's next fight.
The first was a defence of the belt which McGregor had just taken possession of. The second, a lightweight title shot against whoever triumphs in tonight's bout between champion Rafael dos Anjos and challenger Cowboy Cerrone.
Writing for The42.ie, McGregor's coach John Kavanagh directs that the lightweight title shot, be it against the Brazilian or the American, is 'next on the agenda' for his fighter.
He also informs that the fight could take place as soon as April.
A respite from the 145lb weight cut would appear to be the main motivation for taking the option to move up to 155. Well, that and McGregor's personal ambition to be the first ever UFC fighter to simultaneously hold title belts in different weight classes.
Kavanagh also mentioned a spring date with an appearance on 2FM's Breakfast Republic on Friday.
I think we're looking at late March or mid-April and the lightweight belt.
That's what I think is next.
That's being contested Saturday night so whoever the unfortunate winner of that belt is faces Conor.
Should the fight happen in mid-April, there is a strong possibility of it being at UFC 198 (scheduled for April 23rd) and Madison Square Garden; the UFC's first ever event in New York.
Previously, MMA had been banned in the state. However, the recent removal of New York State Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver from his position - on corruption charges - means a major roadblock no longer stands in the UFC's way and the promotion is now confident of holding an event at MSG.
Such a momentous occasion as an innaugural UFC event in New York would undoubtedly receive huge publicity, include McGregor - the biggest draw in the sport - and it could go stratospheric.
In summary: Conor McGregor could become the UFC's first ever simultaneous dual weight champion at the promotion's first ever New York event.
What an historic night that would be.
Picture credit: Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE
