Former two division UFC champion Conor McGregor faces Donald Cerrone in the main event of UFC 246.
The former champion must’ve finished some medicals lately, because the UFC doctor, according to UFC President Dana White, says the fighter is in the best shape he has ever been in.
“I’m hearing he’s in phenomenal shape right now,” White told TMZ Sports (via Farah Hannoun of MMA Junkie). “The UFC doctor is actually saying he thinks Conor is in the best shape he’s ever seen him in. (His) head seems to be in the right place. Ring rust is real – I believe in it. We’ll see how that goes. And I think that the level of disrespect shown to ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone by the media, a lot of the fans, and definitely the sports books in Las Vegas, is insanity.”
McGregor is returning to action after a year-plus layoff and is also looking for his first win in over three years at UFC 246.
White says that he expects an interesting fight when McGregor and Cerrone enter the Octagon this weekend.
“This fight is interesting in a lot of different levels,” White said. “Obviously, Conor’s been out for a while. Conor has fought two times at 170. He’s got a win and a loss at 170. I believe in ring rust. ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone has gone on these two-fight skids before and come back. ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone is almost one of those guys that needs something big to fight for. It’s more than just the money, all the things that go along with it. This is the type of fight that ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone is an absolute spoiler in. This is his deal. These are the type of fights he likes to be in.”
UFC 246 takes place on Saturday, January 18 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with Conor McGregor and Donald Cerrone headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
