Former UFC champion Bas Rutten weighs in on Conor McGregor moving to the welterweight division

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Conor McGregor has fought just two fighters in the welterweight division

Conor McGregor has been actively training for his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. The pair are set to face off on the 10th of July in Las Vegas.

McGregor will be looking forward to getting the victory and eventually settle the scores in the rivalry.

With the title shot for the winner of the fight at stake, McGregor is hungrier than ever to get the better of the ‘Diamond’.

McGregor Poirier trilogy
Conor McGregor (Credits: Conor McGregor Twitter)

The Irishman has also spoken about his ambitions of moving back to the welterweight division if he manages to see off.

During his welterweight bout against Donald Cerrone at UFC 246, McGregor revealed that he felt too comfortable fighting in his natural weight class. There are a lot of chances that he might move to the 170lbs division if he beats Poirier.

Elsewhere, Former UFC heavyweight champion Bas Rutten spoke about the perks that come along with McGregor fighting in the welterweight division.

Speaking to Submission Radio, Rutten said:

“I think he will do good (at 170lbs)…If you fight at your natural weight, I have always said you fight at your best…You try to cut so much because then you think it makes you stronger, which it doesn’t. You take water out of your system – water that you need the most, in the body and you just decide to dehydrate yourself…So, fight in your own weight class, because it simply makes you stronger…In the later rounds, he’s (McGregor’s) getting tired…So I think that also will disappear once you fight closer to your weight class.”

Conor McGregor has fought thrice in the welterweight division

Although McGregor feels comfortable in his natural weight class – welterweight, the first loss in his UFC career came in the welterweight division.

He took on Nate Diaz at UFC 196 on his welterweight debut and was defeated in the second round via. submission.

Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor have met twice in the UFC
Nate Diaz (L) and Conor McGregor battle during their welterweight rematch at the UFC 202 event at T-Mobile Arena on August 20, 2016 (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

McGregor then went on to win the next two fights he fought at the welterweight division. The first was a rematch against Nate Diaz at UFC 202 which he won via. a majority decision.

And the last one was his fight against Donald Cerrone at UFC 246, which he won via. TKO in the very first round.

McGregor’s welterweight record stands at 2-1 currently.

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