Conor McGregor ‘Guarantees’ He Will Fight Diego Sanchez At Welterweight

Outspoken UFC featherweight Conor McGregor has taken the mixed martial arts world by storm since making his promotional debut with a knockout of Marcus Brimage at UFC on Fuel TV 9 this April. He followed that up with a decision win over Max Holloway at UFC Fight Night 26 in Boston.

Although he got the victory for his Irish fans, it wasn’t all good news for McGregor. The former Cage Warriors featherweight and lightweight champion tore his ACL against Holloway and is currently on the shelf until sometime next year.

However, that hasn’t stopped ‘Notorious’ from calling out nearly every big name at featherweight, and many others in separate weight classes. One feud stuck when McGregor called out TUF 1 winner Diego Sanchez, who was fresh off a loss to Gilbert Melendez at UFC 166.

McGregor talked his usual smack and got Sanchez fired up. ‘The Dream’ replied by saying that McGregor needed to prove himself before biting off more than he could chew.

There’s no set timetable for McGregor’s return, but ‘Notorious’ is getting the ball rolling. He took to Twitter to proclaim that he will indeed fight Sanchez, and at welterweight of all places:

@DiegoSanchezUFC @AndyUFCFan My very first request was for it to be at 170lb. Ive already messaged Dana and Shelby. This fight WILL happen.

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 1, 2013

That’s a big step up in both weight and competition for McGregor, who despite looking sharp is still relatively green in the UFC. Sanchez is often regarded as one of the grittiest fighters in all of MMA. What he lacks in overall technique and finesse he makes up for with toughness and an unstoppable will to win.

Because of that facing ‘The Dream’ could quickly turn into a nightmare for ‘Notorious,’ especially coming off a serious injury like an ACL tear. There’s no doubt that McGregor’s striking is among the most dynamic at 145 pounds, but if he can’t finish Holloway is there really a chance that he can knock out a machine like Sanchez?

I’d have to say no, that McGregor is barking up the wrong tree. Sanchez seems to think that the UFC won’t risk their new golden boy being destroyed. However, McGregor is lobbying hard for this bout to happen. Do you give him a chance against Sanchez at 170 pounds?

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