BREAKING: Conor McGregor Will Headline UFC 246 Against Donald Cerrone at Welterweight

After months of speculations, we finally have an opponent for the former lightweight champion, Conor McGregor and it is Donald Cerrone.

McGregor has been away from the sport since his last loss against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229. Since then fans have speculated him to fight Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, and Donald Cerrone. McGregor even called out former UFC champion, Frankie Edgar for his UFC return. However, McGregor is going to make his return against Donald Cerrone on January 18th in Las Vegas according to the UFC president, Dana White.

As per ESPN, the UFC is close to finalizing a welterweight bout between Conor McGregor and Donald Cerrone, which is going to headline UFC 246 on January 18th at T-Mobile Arena. That apart McGregor has already signed the contract and Cerrone has also agreed to the welterweight bout. Dana White said:

“Conor has signed and Cowboy is ready to go”.

Although McGregor has fought in welterweight before, it is surprising for him to return to the welterweight division while he has been campaigning for a rematch against the lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov. McGregor has previously fought against Nate Diaz twice at 170lbs.

Donald Cerrone is coming off a knock out loss against Justin Gaethje who is one of the strongest contenders for the lightweight title after Tony Ferguson. Apart from the loss to Gaethje, Cerrone also lost to Tony Ferguson via doctor’s stoppage. Although Cerrone is a veteran of the sport a win over Cerrone at welterweight division certainly does not put Conor McGregor in a suitable place to demand a title rematch against the winner of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Tony Ferguson. However, it does open up a possibility for a super fight with Jorge Masvidal or the trilogy fight with Nate Diaz at the welterweight division if McGregor manages to get his hands raised against Cerrone.

McGregor has not won a fight in the last three years and he has been inactive for over a year since the fight with Nurmagomedov. Hence it’s safe to say that the fans will be more than happy to see the Notorious one back in the octagon again. Also, it should be noted that Khabib Nurmagomedov is going to defend his title against Tony Ferguson in April next year. It would be intriguing to see whether McGregor will decide to go back to lightweight for a title shot after the fight with Cerrone.