Daniel Cormier: “If the UFC creates a 165-pound division, Conor McGregor has to fight for the title”

Daniel Cormier believes that if the UFC decides to introduce a 165-pound division, Conor McGregor should be in the running for the title.

Rumors have been circulating about the possible creation of a new super lightweight division in the UFC, but UFC CEO Dana White has previously denied the idea.

If the rumors turn out to be true, Cormier insists that adding a big name like former double champion McGregor is crucial to generating interest in the new division. He points out that the introduction of the women’s featherweight division did not go as planned, as it seemed to dissolve after champion Amanda Nunes retired.

“If the UFC is going to add a 165-pound division, Conor McGregor has to be involved,” Cormier stated in an interview on “Funky & the Champ” The Show with Ben Askren. “We’re introducing a new weight class, and it has to mean something. You can’t just add two regular fighters to the division. When we did it for the women at 145, it worked out, but it ended up being just two fighters. If you remember, Germaine de Randamie fought Holly Holm for the championship in Brooklyn.”

“It wasn’t a great match, but Germaine de Randamie won and then refused to fight Cris Cyborg. No one took them seriously until Cris Cyborg became the champion. The only reason it worked was because it was Cris Cyborg. It would be the same if you put this belt on some guy with no name.”

McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) is expected to make a comeback from injury against Michael Chandler, although the date and venue for the fight have not yet been announced.

However, Mr. Askren disagrees with Mr. Cormier’s stance. He argues that McGregor hasn’t had a significant win since 2016 and doesn’t deserve to compete for the title, regardless of his popularity.

“McGregor has had four losses, Daniel,” Askren said. “It doesn’t make sense. It’s similar to my situation where if he was a guy with 20 straight wins or something, ‘I’m not going to fight Tyron (Woodley).’ If you want to create Conor’s belt, just make another BMF. Please make IMF: Irish Motherf****r.”