Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler 165-pound ‘super lightweight’ title fight???
Talk of a 165-pound division coming to the UFC has long been a figment of the imagination for many. But… is the time now?
With talk of the return of former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor, one mixed martial arts legend is calling for the UFC to finally implement the new weight class.
“I believe that if they’re going to do a 165-pound division, it should have a name attached to the weight class that is so big that it draws people’s attention,” former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier said Monday on Good Guy / Bad Guy. “Conor McGregor being that name. Michael Chandler, on the other hand, will benefit from being in the right place at the right time, where these guys would then fight for the super lightweight championship of the world, because that’s what I believe it is. Because it’s only 10 pounds heavier than 155, so let’s call it the super lightweight division. Move 170 to 175, move 185 to 195, keep 205, [keep] heavyweight.”
McGregor’s octagon return is against Michael Chandler on June 29 at UFC 303. The two fighters coached opposite one another on the Ultimate Fighter Season 31 in 2023, two years ago after McGregor injured his leg in a trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier. He has not fought since.
Currently, the UFC does not have a 165-pound division. Lightweight is at 155-pounds and welterweight at 170-pounds.
Chael Sonnen, Cormier’s co-host on the show retorted, “There is no need for a 165-pound title, for one. Part two, the commission does not sanction 165-pound fights. Part three, the UFC does not contest a 165-pound division. Part four, these guys [McGregor and Chandler] combined are coming off of more losses than I have had in my entire career.
“So if anybody’s coming back to fight for a mythical belt, it will be yours truly.”
