Conor McGregor has issued a challenge to UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, urging UFC president Dana White to schedule a world title fight between the two. McGregor, 36, hasn’t fought since his devastating leg injury at UFC 264 three years ago, when he faced Dustin Poirier.
The Irish fighter was on track to make his return earlier this year, with a bout against Michael Chandler set for UFC 303 in June. However, McGregor was forced to pull out after breaking his left pinky toe in a final sparring session. The injury even led to him going up a shoe size, but McGregor insists he’s still ready to compete.
Now, with Chandler preparing to fight Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 in November, McGregor is left without an opponent.
In a recent interview with SunSport, McGregor called out Muhammad and proposed a fight for the welterweight title. “I want to fight him. Chandler’s matched, let’s schedule Belal-McGregor, UFC welterweight world title on the line,” McGregor stated.
Despite primarily fighting at lightweight, McGregor has had success at welterweight, where he has secured multiple knockouts. He expressed confidence in his ability to perform at 170 pounds, stating, “I’m a force to be reckoned with at 170.”
Muhammad won the UFC welterweight title after defeating Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in July, but McGregor was dismissive of the champion’s record, calling him “woeful” during a recent appearance on a Duelbits Kick stream.
McGregor added, “I do damage at welterweight, check the stats. I’ve done them at 100 percent accuracy. This man doesn’t even have a knockdown in UFC history.”
As of now, there is no official response from Muhammad or the UFC regarding McGregor’s challenge, but the Irishman’s callout has certainly raised the stakes in the welterweight division. Fans will be eager to see if a McGregor-Muhammad bout could take place, potentially marking the Irishman’s return to the octagon after a prolonged absence.
