Conor McGregor enjoyed a break to celebrate the birth of his son last year. He later took part in a boxing match against retired boxer Floyd Mayweather who reported will have earned a check for $ 100 million in August, 2017.
There are three UFC’s lightweight division fighters McGregor, interim champ Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov compete to become the champion of the 155-pound weight class in this year.
Speaking to BBC, McGregor’s coach John Kavangh told everyone expected and happy to see McGregor returns to the Octagon this year.
“I’m just happy to see him back to his regular training. He had a lot going on in his life, a lot off stuff outside of fighting going on in his life,” Kavanagh said.
“And he seems to be getting the hang of all that. He’s training almost every day now. I think 2018 will be another big year for us. Exactly what that is, I don’t know yet. The plan is forming, but as they say, stay tuned.
“Conor’s still the champion. I have his belt at home actually. He’s still the champion. He’s making the decision on what makes sense for the next move.
“It’s kind of early days yet, we’re just watching how that has developed while he’s been away, he’s had other things on. Let’s see what happens in 2018, I’m excited about it anyway.” Kavanagh added.
Khabib Nurmagomedov versus Tony Ferguson set for 2018. (Source:www.bbj-usa.com)
On the other hand, the problem the UFC president Dana White does not know when McGregor is going to defend his title. However, White would target a fight between Khabib against Ferguson.
“I don’t think he [Conor McGregor] wants to fight until August, but if he waits until August or September, that’s around two years since the belt has been defended and that can’t happen,” White said.
“As long as Conor is willing to fight by March, we could do Khabib against tony and then the winner fights Conor for the tile. Or, if Conor wants to sit out until next fall, then we’d have to make Khabib against Tony for the title, not the interim title.” White added.
McGregor has not fought in the UFC since his only fight in the category of the organisation November 12, 2016. He also had not defended his featherweight belt since December, 2015.