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Conor McGregor created history in the early hours of Sunday morning when he dismantled UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez in a lob-sided contest to win his belt.
It was such a dominant performance from The Notorious and people are understandably looking forward to his next fight already, but who will that be against?
Appearing on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Conor McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh outlined the possibilities facing the Dubliner in his next fight, as well as giving his own two cents on who he’d like McGregor to face.
Ideally, Kavanagh said he would prefer if McGregor stayed at lightweight for now, but discounted the idea that he can no longer make the 145 pound weight limit to defend his featherweight crown.
He argued that although it would be difficult, McGregor made that cut less than a year ago and could do so again if he wished.
But on the subject of who he should fight next, Kavanagh had some pretty concise opinions.
“I’m going to give you my small opinion. I think the second best 145lber is Max Holloway, that’s my opinion, and I think the second best 155lber is Nate Diaz, that’s my opinion,” Kavanagh said on the MMA Hour.
“I think Nate would beat either Tony or Khabib. I think he really turned a corner in the Michael Johnson fight. I think we saw a new version of him.
“He looked fantastic in both Conor fights, Conor just bested him. That’s my opinion – my small, unimportant opinion. There’s no need to tweet me your opinions. He asked me for mine, I’m just giving it.
“That’s who I think the two best guys are.
“I understand Khabib is the number one contender and it’s probably going to be him if that’s how the company works.
“But for me, interest-wise, the Nate fight would interest me greater because of that.”
Nate Diaz hasn’t fought since losing a razor thin decision to McGregor at UFC 202, but has recently cooled speculation on the possibility of facing The Notorious again soon.
“It’s whatever to me,” Diaz said to MMA Fighting. “I won the fight. I’m not jumping for joy for round three. I think I beat him twice and it’s 2-0, as far as I’m concerned. If they’re gonna want to do it down the road, I don’t know. I’m not in a hurry. It’s all good.”
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