Conor McGregor could return to the UFC in a brand-new division.
‘Notorious’ was the first dual-weight champion in company history and he’s the only person on the roster to have scored KO wins at featherweight, lightweight and welterweight.
McGregor holds plenty of records and accolades in the UFCCredit: Zuffa LLC via Getty
After previously winning UFC gold at 155lb and 145lbs, McGregor’s eagerly anticipated return against Michael Chandler could crown an inaugural champion at 165lbs.
Rumours about a new division between lightweight and welterweight, which are separated by a whopping 15lbs, have been swirling for years.
Lightweight fighter Rafael Fiziev claims talk of an incoming 165lb weight class is more than rumours after speaking with people who know the situation.
He believes the division is coming soon. “It’s not a rumour,” Fiziev said during an interview with Ushatayka.
“I’m hearing that it’s already for sure, as far as I know.
“I’ve heard that they’ve [the UFC] already identified something there.”
UFC commentator and former heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier is one of three UFC fighters who followed in McGregor’s footsteps by holding two belts simultaneously, and he thinks the Irishman should be given the chance to win another.
In doing so, McGregor would become the UFC’s first three-weight champion.
Fiziev could join McGregor in the 165lb divisionCredit: Getty
Cormier wants to see a marquee fight launch the divisionCredit: Getty
“Somebody said the UFC was looking to add 165lb and move 170lb to 175lb because they want McGregor vs Chandler at the 165lb world title fight,” Cormier said recently on his YouTube channel.
“If you do though, it has to be Conor, if you do 165lb, it has to be Conor. You are introducing a new weight class, it has to mean something. You can’t have two normal fighters introducing the weight.”
Dana White disbanded the women’s featherweight division due to a lack of marketable talent after Amanda Nunes retired from the sport in 2023.
Cormier insists the UFC must launch the new weight class with a marquee fight, so it becomes a hit and avoids the same fate as Nunes’ old stomping ground.
If you want to make a splash, there’s no one better than McGregor.
Cormier added: “Look, it didn’t work at 145lb when they did it for the women.
“If you recall, Germaine de Randamie fought Holly Holm for that championship in Brooklyn, it wasn’t a great fight but Germaine de Randamie won the fight and refused to fight Cris Cyborg.
“Nobody took it seriously until Cris Cyborg became the champion, and when Cyborg became the champion, it wasn’t the problem. The only reason why it worked was because it was Cris Cyborg.
“It would be the same thing if you add this belt with a guy without a name.”