UFC 257 News: Conor McGregor Is Here To Stay, Wants Nate Diaz Trilogy Fight

Conor McGregor has no plans of leaving the UFC lightweight division anytime soon.

With the goal of making a legacy as part of the promotion's 155-pound weight class in mind, the Irishman likes the idea of facing long-time rival Nate Diaz for the third time.

"The Notorious" has tasted success in three weight categories in the Las Vegas-based organization, but his stint as a lightweight has been minimal.

McGregor has fought just twice in the aforementioned category, the first was when he beat Eddie Alvarez for the title in 2016. His second outing was the grudge match against retired division kingpin Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018.

The vocal Irish sensation is determined to his stature in the talent-filled bracket, starting with his third bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 on Jan. 23 om Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

“I would like to put a stint in at 155 pounds, for sure,” McGregor told Oscar Willis of The Mac Life, as quoted on Bloody Elbow. “I came into the UFC as a featherweight and I went through the division. I gave it my all in that division and I tore through it like a chainsaw through butter. Interim title then unified title. Then I went up and reached for greater heights, went to the lightweight division, became lightweight champion and became the first dual-weight champion in the company’s history.”

“I never got a good stint at 155 pounds, a consecutive stint like I’ve done in the featherweight division. I’d like to do the same here in the lightweight division that I’ve done in the featherweight division," he continued. "Give it a good run and tear through the division. There are many good competitors, good fighters in there and I feel levels above them all.”

McGregor will have plenty of options should he stick around as a lightweight--including a potential rematch with Nurmagomedov.

However, he seems to be keen on reigniting his rivalry with Diaz and completing the trilogy having headlined back-to-back pay-per-view events in 2016

McGregor and Diaz are tied at 1-1 after having fought previously at welterweight, which has a weight limit of 170 pounds.

UFC president Dana White recently revealed that the prominent Stockton native will return to action as a lightweight, and McGregor sees no reason why he cannot share the cage with Diaz for the third and last time.

“I hear Dana talking on The Mac Life interview saying Nate Diaz is coming back down to lightweight. I love that. I’d love to compete against Diaz. We will compete again. If that happens at lightweight, you know, for a title that would be something special also," he stated. "So, there are many great options that are in the works and let’s see what happens. I am ready.”