“I don’t even care, man. Give me Conor McGregor at this point. I really don’t care, honestly. I want to go out and prove that I’m the best in the world with or without the belt. If they give me the title shot, I’ll take it. If they want to give me McGregor, I’ll take it. If they want to move me down to ’45, I really don’t care right now. I’m so content and motivated with that burning fire to be the best in the world again. The UFC makes promises to guys, they come out and they say things that don’t always happen, man. I’ve seen it a million times, so I’m not going to stress myself out over a title shot or who’s next in line. If they’re going to make money on Conor, I’m sure they’ll give [the title shot] to Conor. But I’ll tell you this, Conor going to 155 [lbs] is a totally different world. I mean, he’s not going to go up there and look like the Conor of 145 [lbs]. That’s why Jose Aldo never moved to 155.”
-Anthony Pettis talks to MMAFighting.com about Conor McGregor’s move up to lightweight and why he’s ready for anything if a title fight isn’t his after his fight tonight with Eddie Alvarez.
Penick’s Analysis: One of the significant things McGregor will not have against many of the top lightweights is the size edge he enjoys at featherweight. Guys like dos Anjos are bulkier and heavier than many he’d have faced at 145 lbs, while guys like Pettis are taller and rangier. He might plug in real well regardless, but it’s certainly a “different world,” as Pettis puts it. That’s what he’s looking for, though. As for what Pettis has ahead of him, a win over Alvarez puts him in position to either get dos Anjos again should dos Anjos beat McGregor, or a No. 1 contender fight with someone like Tony Ferguson or Khabib Nurmagomedov should McGregor take the title and defend the Featherweight Title first. There are options, but he still needs to beat Alvarez first regardless.
[Photo (c) Joe Camporeale via USA Today Sports]
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