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Conor McGregor is a former UFC Featherweight Champion, who'd also held the UFC Lightweight Title. "The Notorious" Irishman is widely regarded as one of the biggest box office attractions in all of the combat sports today and is, in fact, one of the top stars in the history of the fight game.
However, by no means does that make McGregor invincible. Despite being one of the greatest fighters of this era, McGregor has suffered his fair share of setbacks over the years, with his most recent defeat coming at the hands of arch-rival Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in October of this year.
McGregor fell by way of submission to Nurmagomedov in the 4th round of their UFC Lightweight Championship bout, and ever since tapping out to the latter's vicious neck crank at UFC 229, the Irish striking phenom's future has been up in the air. While McGregor continues to train as an MMA fighter, rumors regarding the $100 million dollar-plus worth combatant potentially retiring from combat sports altogether, have been swirling as of late.
Frankly speaking, although McGregor may have a few shortcomings, it's quite evident that the biggest reason why he continues his MMA career, is his undying love for the fight game. After all, most other fighters would've probably hanged up the gloves, had they received a $100 million dollar paycheck like McGregor did in his crossover "Money Fight" in the professional boxing realm against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
On that note, expounding upon the future possibilities pertaining to McGregor, today, we take a look at why Conor McGregor should move up to the Welterweight division (and do so at the earliest!)...
#5 The Khabib Nurmagomedov rematch could take place at Welterweight
No sooner did Conor McGregor lose to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229, than talks of a possible rematch between the duo were ignited...perhaps partly due to the wild brawl which ensued after the fight.
Well, although Nurmagomedov may be nicknamed "The Eagle", he isn't really a Featherweight (pun intended). In all seriousness though, the man has struggled to make the Lightweight limit of 155 pounds on several occasions, and could likely be looking at a move up in weight to the 170-pound weight-class.
A rematch between these two bitter rivals is a surefire money fight, and McGregor would be better off fighting his foe at Welterweight, as both get older and their frames continue to fill out...
#4 Age and weight-cutting
Conor McGregor is relatively young, and despite having competed as a professional for about a decade, the man hasn't really sustained a ton of damage over the course of his career. Regardless, weight-cutting is a tricky business, in and of itself, and as an athlete moves toward his late-twenties or early-thirties, shedding those pounds gets tougher by the day.
Considering that, it isn't really surprising when we time and again see several older fighters move up in weight, and find tremendous success in the higher weight classes. After all, the Heavyweight division in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts or even in other combat sports such as boxing, kickboxing and Muay Thai, sees older fighters dominate the proceedings.
Let's face it, McGregor would be better off refraining from depleting himself by tormenting his body by cutting down all the way to the 155-pound weight category. Alternatively, he'd be better off cutting lesser weight, and fighting in the 170-pound weight class, as less strenuous weight-cuts, have also historically been proven to be beneficial to a fighter's stamina and endurance...
#3 Conor McGregor has nothing left to prove at Featherweight and Lightweight
Alright, this one is sure to ruffle a few feathers, especially those of Conor McGregor's detractors. Notwithstanding, it's indeed an undeniable fact that McGregor has achieved everything he possibly could in both the UFC Featherweight as well as Lightweight divisions.
In simple terms, McGregor has nothing left to prove at Featherweight and Lightweight, and the only thing that may perhaps draw him back to Lightweight is the rematch against Khabib Nurmagomedov. Nevertheless, as I'd mentioned before, with the latter always having struggled to make the 155-pound weight limit, it's quite likely that they may duke it out in the rematch at 170 pounds.
Irrespective of whether you love or hate him, you simply can't deny the fact that McGregor has beaten an impressive list of foes at Featherweight, including Dustin Poirier, Max Holloway, Jose Aldo, Chad Mendes. Furthermore, his Lightweight victims include Eddie Alvarez in the UFC, and Nate Diaz at Welterweight...
#2 Better marketability at a new weight-class
They say a true champion, is one who knows how to get back up after being knocked down. In connection with the same, Conor McGregor has time and again solidified the fact that he is indeed a true warrior who has the heart of a champion.
But with that being said, the sport of Mixed Martial Arts is still a business, and losses do have an adverse effect on a given fighter's marketability, at least to a certain extent even in best case scenarios. McGregor's UFC 229 submission loss may have impacted the man's global brand value as a fighter, and he does need to get back in the win column so as to rectify the same.
Nevertheless, should McGregor choose to return to Welterweight, akin to his pair of fights with Nate Diaz, his marketability would be intact. Especially considering that he hasn't fought in the weight-class too many times, and the only two times he did compete at Welterweight, both fights turned out to be classics...
#1 New challenges at Welterweight
Conor McGregor's coach John Kavanaugh has often asserted that the former does intend to fight Nate Diaz in a rubber match to complete their trilogy. However, until McGregor's loss at UFC 229, all signs pointed towards the Irishman fighting Diaz in their third fight in the Lightweight division as opposed to their first two bouts that took place at Welterweight.
Well, now that McGregor may benefit more by marketing himself in a fight at Welterweight, it only makes sense for him to compete in the Diaz trilogy fight at 170 pounds -- just like their first couple of fights!
Moreover, there are several new challenges for McGregor are Welterweight, including Darren Till and Stephen Thompson -- both of whom are excellent strikers, and match up excellently as regards striking styles with McGregor. In other words, the possibilities are endless for "The Notorious" Irish combat savant in the 170 pound weight-class.
Which fighters would you like to see Conor McGregor fight at Welterweight? Sound off in the comments!
