White expects McGregor to compete at UFC 200
It appears the what and when have been answered in regard to Ultimate Fighting Championship star Conor McGregor’s return to the cage.
The only question remaining is the who.
McGregor said after losing to Nate Diaz in a welterweight bout that headlined UFC 196 on March 5 that his next fight would be a defense of his featherweight title.
During a Tuesday appearance on ESPN Radio’s Russillo and Kanell, UFC president Dana White all but confirmed the rampant speculation McGregor would be a part of the organization’s historic UFC 200 card on July 9 at T-Mobile Arena.
“This guy’s going to turn around and fight on (UFC) 200 again,” White said.
That still leaves up in the air who will get the title shot. The leading candidates are Frankie Edgar and former champion Jose Aldo.
McGregor knocked out Aldo in 13 seconds to take the belt in December. Edgar, the former lightweight champ, has been very vocal about being passed over for featherweight title shots several times in the past.
Both have engaged McGregor in vicious trash talk on social media this week trying to geneerate enough attention to be awarded the opportunity at the belt and the hefty payday that comes with fighting McGregor.
“He wants to fight again as soon as possible. He wants to jump back in there, and he wants to fight again,” White said on the show. “We’re working on who the next opponent will be.”
McGregor has said he will “keep his ear to the ground” to find out who the fans want to see as his challenger.
No fights have been officially announced for the card.
Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj