Conor McGregor ditches lightweight, commits to welterweight

Conor McGregor is finished with the UFC lightweight division, according to his longtime coach John Kavanagh.

Kavanagh told MixedMartialArts.com, as reported by MMA Fighting, that McGregor has moved up to welterweight for good. "You're going to have to do something really big to get Conor at 155 again," Kavanagh said. "170 is a comfortable cut for him now and he's got the frame for it."

McGregor's history with weight cuts

McGregor captured titles at featherweight and lightweight but never defended the 145-pound belt, reportedly struggling with the drain of the cut. He jumped to lightweight in 2016 and later took fights at welterweight, where he appeared noticeably bigger. Kavanagh added that McGregor has the physical tools for the division, citing his reach advantage and natural strength at the higher weight.

McGregor, who turns 38 this week, has one fight remaining on his current UFC deal. A timeline for that bout remains unclear, though the promotion has floated a rematch with Max Holloway at a future event.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — That’s a wrap! Conor McGregor says goodbye to UFC lightweight division — ‘170 is a comfortable cut’