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Coach wants McGregor to fight Gaethje at welterweight

Jennifer Stewart / Getty Images Sport / Getty

John Kavanagh, Conor McGregor's head coach, wants his fighter to take on Justin Gaethje at welterweight in his next bout.

"That would be my personal preference," Kavanagh said Monday during "Ariel Helwani's MMA Show." "He's another lightweight, but neither of them have to cut weight ... The vision is getting that 155-pound belt back, so it's a step towards that."

McGregor has several options following his win over Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 on Saturday. Potential opponents include the winner of lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov versus Tony Ferguson, Jorge Masvidal, and welterweight champ Kamaru Usman.

The Irishman said prior to his latest victory that he could fight Gaethje, but it seems to be one of the less likely outcomes.

UFC president Dana White wants McGregor to fight Nurmagomedov in a rematch if he beats Ferguson at UFC 249 on April 18, and the Masvidal bout appears to be the most popular pick among fans and media.

"It'll be (manager) Audie (Attar), and Conor, and the UFC that makes those decisions," Kavanagh said. "I'll just be in the background with the spit bucket."

The coach added that he'd want a potential matchup with Gaethje to happen around the same time that Nurmagomedov-Ferguson does.

McGregor said earlier that he could fight as soon as March or April if he exited the Cerrone bout unscathed. Kavanagh said he'd be surprised if the 31-year-old doesn't fight again before the summer.

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