Conor McGregor News: Irishman's Coach Wants Lightweight Fight In April, Featherweight Fight With Frankie Edgar In July
Head coach John Kavanagh recently revealed that he does not wants his fighter Conor McGregor to be waiting until July 2016 to fight.
Kavanagh, and the rest of "The Notorious'" comrades from Dublin's Straight Blast Gym are fresh off a huge victory over former long-time UFC champion José Aldo on Saturday night at UFC 194's main event. It was a grudge match that took almost a year in the making, with the original fight date being July 11th at UFC 189.
But due to unfortunate events, Aldo was forced out of the bout after suffering a rib injury during training.
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After McGregor finally made his predictions come true and is now the UFC undisputed world featherweight champion, he, along with his camp, are now preparing for the next big move. Speaking to MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani, coach Kavanagh revealed that he wants McGregor to be back in the cage, sooner than later.
Specifically, he prefers to see "Mystic Mac" back in action by April, then once again in July.
"I do think the next one will be lightweight for the belt," he told Helwani. "Maybe that's going to be around April."
UFC president Dana White did say that once McGregor decides to come up to the lightweight division at 155-pounds, he will need to vacate the featherweight belt that he currently holds. McGregor was not in agreement about it, noting that he will be able to keep himself active and defend both belts.
Apparently, Kavanagh has also considered this situation and had actually penned his foreseen date of McGregor's featherweight title defense.
"Maybe that and then July, UFC 200," Kavanagh continued, in the interview with Helwani. "Maybe he'll defend the featherweight belt against Frankie on that card."
Kavanagh adds that no matter what he says, McGregor would be insistent on keeping himself busy as the new champion.
"He's never gonna wait until July. Even if I was to suggest it or encourage it, I know it's a pointless effort."
Meanwhile, Mark Henry, Frankie Edgar's coach, spoke up on what Kavanagh said. In another MMA Fighting report, he also talked to Helwani and said, "I saw Conor's coach's remark on your show..Bro, why is his boy running so bad?"
Edgar is the number one contender for the UFC featherweight title. Henry believes that McGregor should defend his new title a few times before he starts thinking of moving into the lightweight division.
In the same interview, Henry adds, "So now you have the belt - man up and defend it."
