Masvidal out of title fight discussions; Abdelaziz suggests McGregor in his stead

The UFC welterweight landscape has become quite strange. While there had been signs that the fight to make would be a showdown between champion Kamaru Usman (16-1) and veteran Jorge Masvidal (35-13), Masvidal has now expressed interest in a rematch with Nate Diaz, whom he fought last November for the newly minted “BMF” belt.

Usman’s manager, the always vocal Ali Abdelaziz, says his side is willing to give the title shot to Conor McGregor (22-4) in Masvidal’s stead.

McGregor has yet to respond to this, although in the past he has expressed interest in fighting for the welterweight strap, tweeting in December of last year, “145. 155. 170,” indicating he wishes to become the UFC’s first three-division champion.

McGregor has two career wins at welterweight, but both were against fighters who fight predominantly at lightweight (Nate Diaz and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone). He is coming off a first round TKO win against Cerrone in January at UFC 246. Usman, meanwhile, is coming off a dramatic TKO victory over Colby Covington at UFC 245 in his first title defense.