McGregor to Featherweight Division: Beg Forgiveness and I’ll Move up to 155 Pounds

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LAS VEGAS -- Conor McGregor has a knack for rubbing people the wrong way.

For as many fans who adore the Irishman’s cup that overflows with confidence, there are others that despise McGregor’s arrogance.

McGregor did not mince words this week when discussing what he has planned after fighting -- and, in his mind, “mauling” -- featherweight champ Jose Aldo at UFC 189.

“I expect everyone in the top 10 of the featherweight division to line up and beg for forgiveness,” McGregor said when asked how he would celebrate if he were to win the title. “If they do that, I’ll hand the featherweight title back and move up to 155.”

McGregor has often alluded to one day making the jump up to the lightweight division and has mentioned the challenges of continuing to make 145 pounds. While a victory over Aldo would be huge for McGregor, the target on his back would become enormous, and the likelihood that anyone in the division would beg for his forgiveness is about the same as seeing a fight between Ronda Rousey and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Obviously, McGregor is aware of the legion of fighters who would want a piece of him should he become champion. The question of how McGregor would fare against a wrestler has piqued the curiosity of fight fans, regardless of the outcome of his fight with Aldo.

“I enjoy the featherweight division, but there’s obviously still some questions the fans want answered,” the boisterous 26-year-old said. “Guys like Frankie Edgar, Chad Mendes and Ricardo Lamas -- and I shouldn’t have put that idiot in there.

“If they kiss my feet and apologize, then I will go out there and answer that question for the fans.”

But doesn’t McGregor want to shut down the naysayers who believe a wrestler would ground the Irishman’s vaunted standup?

“I don’t really give a s--t,” he responded when asked if he had any desire to prove that he can take out one of the division’s decorated wrestlers. After giving it some more thought, McGregor shrugged nonchalantly and approved of the idea. “Yeah, why not? We’ll see how it plays out.”