Although not yet officially announced, Conor McGregor is expected to move up in weight and take on Rafael dos Anjos in a champion vs. champion bout at UFC 197. The lightweight champ's coach confirmed that they have signed the deal on their end, and is just waiting for an official confirmation from the promotion.
"From our part, it’s already signed. It’s important to make it clear that this was a request from McGregor," Rafael Cordeiro told Sherdog. "Rafael is really happy to 'welcome' him in a brutal way to the lightweight division."
And why wouldn't he? While Dos Anjos may not have appreciated how Conor went about it on his now infamous 'red panty night' rant, it is true that this would be the most lucrative and high profile title defense available to him.
For his part though, the lightweight champ did mention on that presser that McGregor would be 'easy money', and now his coach has stuck to a similar tune.
"It’s a fighter that we truly believe we can beat," Cordeiro said. "He’s coming from a lower division, and he can be sure that he’ll face a strong champion who will not change his style. McGregor has already proven to be a great athlete, but we have five rounds to beat him and Rafael is coming in hungry to beat him, not only physically but spiritually, and to break his soul inside the Octagon. I bet Rafael will finish him in a brutal way, the same way he has finished his last fights."
Unsurprisingly, his opponent also seems to believe he will run through the other, with McGregor recently stating that UFC 197 would be 'just another night of easy work'.