Conor McGregor Promotes UFC 328 While Claiming Ownership of the 185lbs Gold

Conor McGregor recently promoted the UFC's upcoming UFC 328 card while taking ownership of the headline attraction - Middleweight Title.

Conor McGregor Promotes UFC 328 While Claiming Ownership of the 185lbs Gold

Conor McGregor takes ownership of the 185lbs championship [via UFC.com]

In Short
  • Conor McGregor claims ownership of the UFC middleweight title despite never competing in that division.
  • He has not fought since his leg injury at UFC 264 and is teasing a return to the octagon.
  • Former UFC fighter Mike Perry has called out McGregor for a potential fight as he prepares for his own return.

Conor McGregor is among the few UFC champions to have competed in three different divisions. His initial run with the company saw McGregor compete in the featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight divisions within months of each other. But as he gears up for a return to the octagon, the former double champion has claimed ownership of the title of a division in which he has never competed.

The Irishman is yet to compete in the UFC since his nasty leg break at UFC 264 in the trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier. Fans have been clamoring for the ex-double champion to return. In turn, McGregor has fanned the flames with training clips and montages on social media, teasing a UFC return.

However, McGregor’s recent social media post has left fans confused. The Irishman expressed his excitement for the upcoming UFC middleweight championship bout between Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328. Simultaneously, he said that it was his title on the line at Newark.

Very excited for the Newark, New Jersey @ufc card, with my 185lbs @ufc title on the line! TUNE IN ON @UFConParamount

Conor McGregor via X

There were rumblings of Conor McGregor’s return fight being a rematch against Max Holloway at welterweight. However, UFC legend Chael Sonnen downplayed the chances of this matchup materializing altogether. But in doing so, Sonnen also said he knew McGregor’s return fight would not be contested at “lower than 170 pounds.”

That said, Conor McGregor mentioned fighting at middleweight back when he did The Ultimate Fighter with Michael Chandler. It was something he brought up in the infamous “You’ll do what you’re told” exchange.

Chandler was ready for it back then, but that fight isn’t on the table anymore. ‘Iron Mike’ fights Mauricio Ruffy at the White House event fight card, a month before the Irishman’s rumored July return during International Fight Week.

For now, the 37-year-old’s comeback opponent remains a mystery for now. But that hasn’t stopped fighters from calling out the biggest draw in the sport. Recently, one of McGregor’s employees called him out for a fight, and he wants the UFC to book it.

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Mike Perry calls out his boss Conor McGregor to a UFC fight

Former UFC fighter Mike Perry is set to make his MMA return against Nate Diaz on the Most Valuable Promotion’s first ever MMA card. Perry turned to bare-knuckle boxing after his UFC tenure. He is 6-0 in BKFC and currently holds the “King of Violence” title in the promotion partly owned by Conor McGregor.

Conor McGregor, Mike Perry
Conor McGregor and Mike Perry face off [via Bloody Elbow]

As the Irishman nears a return, ‘Platinum’ has expressed that he wants to face off against his boss. The American fighter told MMA Junkie that he has always wanted to face Conor McGregor, claiming he took the Nate Diaz trilogy fight away from him.

He’s always talking shit while I’m out here fighting and working. And I would love to [fight Conor McGregor]. Me and him. UFC, hit me up. We’ll make the McGregor fight. We’ll fight at 170. I’m going to 170 for this one, and I’m going to shut his mouth.

Mike Perry via MMA Junkie

Earlier, Nate Diaz had pushed for a trilogy fight against Conor McGregor at the White House. However, the plan changed with his inclusion on MVP’s inaugural card. Even so, Perry does not see a fight against McGregor happening on Netflix anyway.

McGregor reportedly has two fights on his UFC contract. As seen with the UFC’s alleged reluctance to release Jon Jones, they aren’t willing to let their superstars simply walk away. Nonetheless, a rumored July turnaround for Perry to fight the Irishman is dubious, given that he fights on May 16. The Irishman will likely compete against someone else if the UFC doubles down and book a return.

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