Former UFC double champion Conor McGregor has officially been cleared to fight from today after completing an 18-month suspension for violating anti-doping policy.
The Irishman, who has not fought for nearly five years, is expected to finally return to the octagon this summer on the International Fight Week card. McGregor is already the most tested UFC fighter this year, and his socials suggest he is going all out during training sessions to shine on his comeback and get back to the win column.
The Dubliner was previously expected to fight Michael Chandler. However, “Iron” now has a bout scheduled for June 14 at the White House against knockout artist Mauricio Ruffy.
Hence, other welterweight and lightweight contenders are actively putting their names in the mix to fight Conor McGregor, potentially in July.
Reports suggest that Conor McGregor would like to come in at 170 pounds when he returns. However, ranked UFC lightweight Paddy Pimblett has shown interest in fighting “The Notorious.”
Paddy Pimblett says he would fight Conor McGregor “all day long,” also lauds “The Notorious”
Paddy Pimblett was brutally dismantled by UFC veteran Justin Gaethje earlier this year in a bout for the interim lightweight strap. “The Baddy” tasted defeat for the first time in his UFC career against “The Highlight.”
Despite taking heavy damage against Gaethje and also getting dropped multiple times, Pimblett wasted no time in returning to training after the loss. He had previously said that he expects to fight again in the summer.
And now, in an interview with SPORTbible on behalf of Casino.org,”The Baddy” expressed interest in fighting the UFC’s biggest draw, Conor McGregor. He said:
If Conor wanted to fight me, I would fight him all day long. Everyone knows how good Conor is and how he changed the sport, but the sport moves on. It’s a different trajectory now. It’s a completely different sport. But if, as I said, he wanted to fight me, I’m not going to say no, am I? He’s the biggest star the sport has ever seen. He made the sport what it is, so if he ever wanted to fight me, I’d fight him in a heartbeat. Anyone who says otherwise is an idiot.”
McGregor and Pimblett do not have bouts scheduled for now. However, the Irishman fighting at 155 pounds at the age of 37 seems unrealistic yet not totally impossible. Pimblett, on the other hand, has been advised by many to move up to 170 pounds after punishing weight cuts.
If the Liverpudlian does make a move up, he could be an exciting opponent when “The Notorious” returns. They both thrive in a slugfest and could deliver a banger on International Fight Week.
