Conor McGregor personally requested for his upcoming showdown with Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone to be at welterweight, according to UFC president Dana White.
The 31-year-old Irish MMA superstar has been out of the octagon since his sensational defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in October 2018.
But McGregor announced in October that he would make his long-awaited UFC comeback in 2020 and will clash with Cerrone on 18th January at UFC 246.
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When he was asked about the clash being held at welterweight, White told The Sports Network: "I don't think anybody cares at all.
"I think what everyone is looking at, what Conor wants to do is fight at 170, because he doesn't believe Tony [Ferguson] vs Khabib [Nurmagomedov] is going to happen.
"He thinks something is going to happen and he wants to slide into that spot."
The UFC chief went on to explain that McGregor's decision to fight at welterweight was also linked with a potential blockbuster bout with BMF champ Jorge Masvidal.
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"Conor McGregor wouldn't have to cut weight twice like that, so, and he knew that if he offered 170, Cerrone would love that, too," White said.
"Cerrone doesn't have to cut weight. And he also wants that 170lbs fight because he also told me 'I'm looking at [Jorge] Masvidal, too.'"
White revealed earlier this week that UFC would book three mega-fights for 2020, which would include a potential rematch between McGregor and Khabib.
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McGregor, who plans to fight three times next year, has been keen to avenge his defeat to the undefeated UFC lightweight champ.
And the 'Notorious' has even said that he is ready to fight his rematch in Khabib's native homeland of Russia.
The 'Eagle,' who will clash with Ferguson on 18th April at UFC 249, has slammed White's suggestion that a future rematch could take place.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics:ย Donald Cerrone, Conor Mcgregor, Notorious, UFC News, MMA News, UFC, MMA, Dana White
