Kamaru Usman's team is open to a fight with Conor McGregor - but warned it won't end well for the Irishman.
McGregor announced last week that he intends to move up to welterweight and challenge the 170lb champion. Usman is currently recovering from hand surgery and is expected to defend his belt against Briton Leon Edwards in July.
But his manager has said the Nigerian would be open to facing McGregor who is himself continuing his rehabilitation from the broken leg he suffered against Dustin Poirier last year.
"There is unfinished business with Leon Edwards [but] if Conor wants, Dana wants, nothing will make me happier than seeing Kamaru put a hole in his head," wrote Ali Abdelaziz on social media.
Abdelaziz also represented Khabib Nurmagomedov during his undefeated reign as lightweight champion which included a submission win over McGregor in 2018.
The Irishman had been expected to return at lightweight and had targeted a shot at champion Charles Oliveira. But he has now had a change of heart and instead wants to become a three-weight world champion.
“I believe versus Usman for the 170lb title for my comeback is the one I’m eyeballing at the minute," he told The Mac Life.
"I haven’t really said that to no one to be honest, I’ve only been thinking that for the last couple of days because for what cut the weight? I’ve already won the 155lb title, I got myself down to a lightweight frame, but I’m big now.
"I feel big, I feel strong, I feel healthy, I’ve got good energy. I’m coming back after a gruesome injury. I do not want to deplete myself, there should be no need to deplete myself.
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"And I feel confident against Usman. A jab happy, sloppy, orthodox wrestler with no submissions whatsoever. What’s he going to do? Where’s the danger here? I don’t see a danger with him.
"His ground-and-pound isn’t strong, plus he’s on the older side. And then plus the world is to be took again. The triple crown.
"No one’s ever obtained three knockouts in three weight divisions moving up like I have already, but no one’s ever obtained three UFC world titles cross three divisions like I will do also if we make this fight."
McGregor expects to return in late summer and with a shortage of challengers for Usman's belt, he could secure a title shot later this year.
