Chael Sonnen is one of the loudest voices in the MMA community. Former title contender shared some keen insight into recent going ons in the UFC.
According to Sonnen, the next Welterweight challenger for Kamaru Usman is none other than Conor McGregor.
Leon Edwards is riding a long winning streak and has been named as the next title challenger by UFC President Dana White. But despite of what White has promised Edwards, UFC still hasn’t announced anything because Usman is still recovering from hand surgery he underwent in January.
Conor McGregor is reportedly walking around at 190 lbs at the moment and ripe for a welterweight debut. In several of his last bouts McGregor weighed in at 170 lbs – without weight cutting. Ever since his leg collapsed – McGregor went up a size with many onlookers claiming he looks unrecognizable.
“I am being told that Leon has been offered his show and his win, whatever was negotiated for Leon to fight Kamaru is being offered to him,” Sonnen said. “We will mail you a cheque to step aside. We have the right to push you aside, (but) we don’t want any hard feelings. And, we acknowledge that you deserve this. So, we are going to send you what you agreed on and you get to stay home.’ With the belief being that Conor’s gonna step in.”
The next potential challenger would certainly draw criticism from hardcore fans. McGregor never faced a career welterweight and has only three in the division. Mcgregor is 2-1 as a Welterweight which includes his two Nate Diaz bouts and his demolishing of Donald Cerrone.
To make matters worse, McGregor has notoriously struggled against wrestlers at 145 and 155. Fans argue that facing a wrestler of the caliber and size of Kamaru Usman could make the Irishman’s chances of victory very slim.
However, Conor has other thoughts about the potential bout.
“I believe myself vs. Usman for the 170-pound title for my comeback fight is the one I’m eyeballing at the minute,” McGregor said. “I’ve gotten myself down to a lightweight frame, but I’m big now. I feel big, I feel strong, I feel healthy, I’ve got good energy. Coming back after a gruesome injury, I do not want to deplete myself.
“There’s no need to deplete myself. And I feel confident against Usman – a jab-happy, sloppy orthodox wrestler with no submissions whatsoever. What’s he gonna do? Where’s the danger here? I don’t see danger with him.”