Conor McGregor’s return against Max Holloway at UFC 329 is set to kick off what John Kavanagh expects to be a sustained run at welterweight.
McGregor meets Holloway in the main event this Saturday at UFC 329, with the rematch taking place at 170 pounds at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. McGregor has previously held UFC titles at 145 and 155 pounds, but his coach now sees him staying put at welterweight.
“You’re going to have to do something really big to get Conor at 155 again,” Kavanagh said, adding that the cut to 170 has become ideal for his fighter. “170 is a comfortable cut for him now and he’s got the frame for it. He certainly has the strength for it. He’s always had an unusual—he’s got that orangutan reach, so he’s comfortable at that. He can tie his shoelaces without bending down, you know?”
McGregor has competed three times at welterweight in the UFC, including a 40-second knockout of Donald Cerrone at UFC 246. He also split a welterweight series with Nate Diaz in 2016.
Looking beyond UFC 329, Kavanagh hinted at a busy schedule if things go well. “I stay in my lane, I’m just the coach, but of course, I would like to see him busier than waiting until next April. We’re going to be done and dusted early July. So all going well, a little break and then back into it. I would love to have something before the end of the year, but I’ll let the guys in the suits argue about that.”
