No trashtalk.
Conor McGregor shows his other side as he sends Donald Cerrone well wishes ahead of their welterweight clash in January.
On Thursday, McGregor’s much-awaited return to the Octagon has been made official after he signed the deal for a welterweight bout against ‘Cowboy.’
“Conor has signed, and Cowboy is ready to go,” the UFC president told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.
The two fan-favourites are set to headline the UFC 246 fight card, the promotion’s first pay-per-view offering next year, at the T-mobile Arena on January 18.
It will also mark McGregor’s return to 170 pounds, which fueled talks he is pursuing a potential blockbuster showdown with Jorge Masvidal.
The last time he fought at welterweight was in 2016.
He defeated Nate Diaz on their rematch by way of majority decision to avenge his submission loss against the same opponent earlier that year.
New Numbers
Shortly after the announcement, Cerrone took to Instagram and said he is eyeing to add new numbers on his UFC records at the January 2020 fight.
“Let this Soak in! This will be my 51st MMA fight and I plan to add new numbers to all these list come January 18.”
“I hold the all-time UFC record for wins with 23. I hold the all-time UFC record for finishes with 16.”
“I hold the all-time UFC record for post-fight bonus awards with 18. I hold the all-time UFC record in knockdowns with 20.”
“I hold the all-time UFC record with seven knockouts via kicks.”
The UFC veteran is coming off back-to-back losses in the lightweight division.
His last outing at 170 pounds was against Mike Perry in November 2018, where he earned a first round submission victory.
‘I’ll See You’
As a response, McGregor said he looks forward to seeing ‘Cowboy’ next year with ‘bullseye vision.’
“Good man Donald, enjoy the Christmas dinner. Happy holidays to you and the family, from the McGregor’s here in Ireland,” he wrote.
“See you in 20/20 with bullseye vision.”
Searching for his first win in three years, McGregor will be looking to bounce back from a fourth-round submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229.
The lightweight rivals locked horns in October 2018, where a chaotic post-fight brawl ensued after the Russian’s victory.
While serving suspension, the former two-division champion has called for a rematch with Nurmagomedov, saying he is willing to fight in the Russian soil.
McGregor currently holds a 21-4 win-loss MMA recrod, with his most recent win coming at the expense of Eddie Alvarez in their lightweight title fight in 2016.
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Conor McGregor and Donald Cerrone)