Paul Felder sees no problem about Conor McGregor figting at 170 pounds as long as the Ultimate Fighting Championship remove him in the lightweight rankings.
‘The Notorious’ from Ireland is set for his much-awaited return on January 2020 after more than a year of fighting hiatus.
McGregor last fought at UFC 229 in October 2018, where he suffered a fourth-round submission at the hands of Khabib Nurmagomedov.
MMA fans were expecting him to fight at 155 pounds on his MMA comeback but the former two-division champion will move up to welterweight to face Donald Cerrone.
According to Dana White, McGregor is planning to take on another welterweight star after ‘Cowboy’ before facing Nurmagomedov in a rematch – a move that does not sit well with the current sixth-ranked lightweight contender in Paul Felder.
Mixing Things Up
Speaking to MMA Junkie in a recent interview, ‘The Irish Dragon’ said McGregor should be taken out, or at least taken down, of the lightweight rankings if his next fights would be at 170 pounds.
McGregor’s last win at 155 was when he defeated Eddie Alvarez in their lightweight title fight in 2016.
Currently, he places third in the official lightweight rankings.
“That’s what I’m hoping, because he wants to fight at 170 and he’s hunting that Jorge Masvidal fight, then let him do that.”
“Take him lower down the rankings so that guys like me and Dan Hooker, who are putting in work at 155 pounds, guys like Justin Gaethje, get him out of our way and let us fight for the belt in those big fights.”
“If he’s still in the rankings in the top three, top five, guys are going to want to fight him, guys are going to want to call out.”
“They’re going to wait to try to fight him and it just mixes things up.”
“It muddies stuff up for us.”
No. 1 Spot
Felder commended his lightweight peers like Gaethje for putting in the work but he is surprised that ‘The Highlight’ decided to wait for the next title shot.
“I’m surprised that an active guy like Justin wants to wait but he’s put in the work.”
“Let him do his thing. I don’t see that happening. I don’t see him just being able to sit around and wait for a title shot.”
Aiming to lock the number 1 spot, Felder will face Dan Hooker in the main event of UFC Auckland next year.
“Poirier is still looking for a fight. Depending on how things go on Feb. 23 it could be a quick turnaround and maybe a No. 1 contender spot could open up.”
“I would love to fight Dustin. I have nothing but respect for that guy.”
“But as you’ve seen I can have nothing but respect for a guy and it won’t stop me from getting in your grill and letting you know that I’m here to smash your face.”
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Conor McGregor and Paul Felder)