Conor McGregor expects to roll past Jose Aldo at UFC 194 next weekend, and after that he says he’s going straight after a second belt.
During the UFC 194 media conference call on Wednesday afternoon, the Irishman said he’s going to be a two-division champion in short order.
“I will knock out Jose and I will face the winner of the lightweight belt, which takes place a week after,” McGregor said. “Within the next two fights I will be a two [division] world champion.”
What could throw that plan out the window is the likely necessity of a rematch should McGregor pull off the win. After all, Aldo’s the only champion the division’s ever known in the UFC. However, McGregor thinks his win will be so quick and decisive that a rematch won’t be needed.
“Let’s see how this contest plays out,” he said. “If [Aldo] can give me a war and he can earn a rematch, then we can do a rematch – but I just don’t see him answering the bell for the second round. I can’t see his face or his body at the beginning of the second round. I see him KO’d inside one, and when you KO a man inside one, there’s no need for a rematch.”
Penick’s Analysis: For as much as he’s talked about the quick lightweight move, there’s likely more the UFC would want to see from him at featherweight before then. Not only the rematch with Aldo if he does indeed win, but a fight with Frankie Edgar should Edgar beat Chad Mendes, or a rematch with Mendes with both getting a full fight camp. On top of that, the lightweight division’s got plenty of contenders making their way up. Of course, McGregor’s done enough talking about many of those lightweights that a move up can be easily sold as well. That makes it the slightest of realities, but it’s there.
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