Conor McGregor insists he’s only put on 5lb since Khabib fight despite incredible body transformation for Cerrone return – The Sun

CONOR McGREGOR insists he has only put on 5lbs in weight ahead of his return against Donald Cerrone.

McGregor, 31, has been out of the octagon since October 2018 when he was submitted by lightweight king Khabib Nurmagomedov.

But the Irish star will make his comeback at welterweight, a division a stone heavier than 155lbs.

UFC boss Dana White revealed he allowed McGregor to return at 170lbs to avoid another gruelling weight cut, which The Notorious has a long history of going through.

Despite the southpaw posting beefed up snaps online, he told ESPN he is actually under the welterweight limit ahead of his cage comeback.

McGregor explained: “I’m underweight right now. I’m underweight. I’d say 160lbs and a bit.

“I know I could have [made Cerrone cut down to lightweight]. But I just don’t think he looks well at 155lbs. He does not look well at 155lbs. He’s a 170lb fighter.

“Why would I want someone to suffer?

“I don’t care. No. I beat him any bleedin’ way. I beat him at any weight.

"I beat him if I have the flu. So I don’t need that.

“I just want to focus on my training and keep me sharp. You know, I don’t have to cut and then build and then cut. I’m happy where I’m at.”

McGregor has already been promised another crack at Nurmagomedov and the lightweight crown if he gets past Cerrone next Saturday.

But the Dubliner has left the door open to remaining at 170lbs to face superstar Jorge Masvidal – who last year won the ‘Baddest Mother F***er’ belt against Nate Diaz.

Or McGregor fancies a crack at welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who beat rival Colby Covington last month, with The Notorious plotting to be the first UFC fighter to win belts in three divisions.

He said: “170 is an exciting one for me,” McGregor said. “I like 170. I like what’s going on in the 170 division at the minute.

“You’ve got Jorge with that belt, you’ve got the other guys fighting for the belt.

“I like what’s going on at 170 and I feel good at 170. I feel energetic; it’s what I weigh. And that’s it. It opens up so many more options.

“I’m not done at 155. No way. I could make 155 [for] this fight no problem.

“But I just want to go in fresh as it is. Let the fight play as it is and then open up all my options.”

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