Conor McGregor confirms the man who he sees as his ideal next opponent

Hey UFC, make it happen.

This Saturday’s octagon showdown may not have been the fight Conor McGregor has been preparing for since mid-January. But by taking on Nate Diaz at 170, it may be just the perfect preparation to ensure ‘The Notorious' does get the very fight he wants most of all. Frankie Edgar may not like to hear it, nor Rafael dos Anjos, but McGregor last confirmed who he wants to go toe-to-toe with next. The 27-year-old last month admitted that a title shot against Robbie Lawler would intrigue him, and now that he has moved up a significant weight, he feels that if he was to stay at welterweight, Lawler would be next on his hit-list

"That's there. I mean, why not? That's probably the leading option."

Lawler demurred last month when asked by Daniel Cormier if he would fancy his chances of beating the UFC featherweight champion. But the Dubliner has no doubt that he would be too strong for ‘Ruthless’ if they were to fight. Speaking after his open workout ahead of Saturday’s fight in Las Vegas, McGregor thinks speed would be the key difference between both men.

"I like Robbie. I won't say a bad word about Robbie. He fights with his heart. He's been around the game so, so long. But if we fought, I would beat Robbie. I'm too fast for him. The size difference is not anything. I've stood beside him. I've seen him."

The comments could indicate the prospect of McGregor defending his featherweight belt is growing ever more unlikely. While dos Anjos recovers from his foot injury, McGregor may still have his dream of holding two belts at different weight classes fulfilled. However it may be at welterweight, rather than at 155, as originally planned

"I respect (Lawler) as a champion, as a man who drifted off, came back, stayed on it and rose up and became the welterweight champion.” “We'll see how that goes. That is an appealing one for me, the welterweight. All the belts. We'll see."