Conor McGregor looks ready for his comeback fight against Donald Cerrone next weekend at UFC 246 in Las Vegas, or at least that’s what “Notorious” is portraying.
The former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion will be making his first trip to the Octagon since getting choked out by 155-pound king Khabib Nurmagomedov back in October 2018. It will be McGregor’s chance to return to the UFC win column and lock down the performance he needs to regain his stranglehold on the combat world.
Luckily for McGregor, he doesn’t have to worry about takedowns, submission attempts, and top pressure this time around. Unlike Nurmagomedov, Cerrone is a proven striker more than willing to stand with “Notorious” and test the Irishman’s powerful left hand in the name of the fans.
It’s arguably the most friendly matchup for McGregor in his return to the Octagon, but that doesn’t mean “Mystic Mac” isn’t preparing for everything against Cerrone. Even though “Cowboy” has already stated that he’ll stand and bang with McGregor when the cage door shuts at UFC 246, McGregor is doing what he can to make sure that remains the same.
In fact, “Notorious” proposed a new stipulation for UFC 246’s main event in the following Instagram message to Cerrone:
“First one to shoot’s a cowbitch,” wrote McGregor.
It’s subtle, but we all know what McGregor is trying to do. A massive proponent of standup battles, “Notorious” is hoping that Cerrone sticks to his guns and exchanges with punches and kicks at UFC 246. Cerrone is the type of fighter to do what he says he’s going to do and he’s also a little prideful in his striking abilities, so fight fans should expect a standup war next weekend in Las Vegas.
However, if Cerrone starts to get tagged by McGregor early on the feet don’t be surprised if “Cowboy” wrangles the Irishman and drags him to the ground. After all, Cerrone, while lethal with his hands and legs, has scored more career submission wins than knockouts. His collection of UFC submission stoppages includes victories over the likes of Mike Perry, Edson Barboza, Alex Oliveira, Evan Dunham, and Dennis Siver.
In other words, McGregor would be in a boat load of trouble if he finds himself on his back against Cerrone.
UFC 246 will go down on Jan. 18 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, with McGregor vs Cerrone being contested at 170 pounds.
For more UFC 246 news and coverage click here.