Kamaru Usman thinks Conor McGregor will fight again, but he thinks the Irishman’s time as a champion is over.
McGregor is on a two-fight losing skid – losing twice by stoppage to Dustin Poirier, although he broke his leg in the second fight. Since he began his rehab, however, he has vowed to return and become a champion again. McGregor even said he would become the welterweight champ to become a three-weight champion.
Kamaru Usman Says Conor McGregor’s Champion Window is Closed
“He’s not necessarily done, but he’s done as a champion,” Usman said on the “I Am Athlete” podcast.
“This is my perspective because when I fight guys, I study their hearts. When I watch fights, I watch their heart and for me, he’s done. He’s done, because I don’t know whether the goal was to get the money.
I don’t know if that’s what it was, because there’s a story about him: He was broke. For me, it seemed like it was about not being broke, getting money. So I understand that. Now he’s not broke. But how are you gonna be champion? Because that’s what drove you to become champion. Because you didn’t want to be broke? Now you’re not broke anymore.”
In order for McGregor to become a three-weight champion, he would need to face Usman at welterweight for the belt. The rumored division move for McGregor even drew the attention of No.4 challenger Gilbert Burns last week. Although it is uncertain he would get a welterweight title shot, Usman says he would be glad to fight him to get an easy paycheck.
Kamaru Usman Would Welcome Conor McGregor Fight
“He could call me out, but that don’t mean he’s going to fight me,” Usman said. “It’s not necessarily that they protect him, because he’s bigger to where he can pick, where he can call his shots. He’s that big. Conor can say, ‘I’m going to fight you tomorrow,’ and he’s still gonna sell 1 million buys… absolutely, I’d grab that check.”
Currently, Usman is set to defend his welterweight title in the main event of UFC 278 against Leon Edwards. McGregor, meanwhile, is still rehabbing his broken leg and it’s uncertain when he will fight again.
