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Conor McGregor has vowed to \u201ckickstart UFC\u2019s 2020 big\u201d when he makes his return to the octagon against Donald \u2018Cowboy\u2019 Cerrone this weekend.<\/p>\nConor McGregor has vowed to \u201ckickstart UFC\u2019s 2020 big\u201d when he makes his return to the octagon against Donald \u2018Cowboy\u2019 Cerrone this weekend.<\/p>\n
The Irishman said there will be blood spilled when the two spar off at UFC 246 in Las Vegas and predicted a knockout.<\/p>\n
McGregor has not fought in the octagon since losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov via submission at UFC 229 in October 2018.<\/p>\n
Since then, Notorious announced his retirement from mixed martial arts before saying he would return to the sport in October.<\/p>\n
Speaking before the bout, he said: \u201cI\u2019m in a good spot, I\u2019m ready to fight.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am setting out for big goals, I am going to kickstart UFC\u2019s 2020 big and I\u2019m going to continue it.\u201d<\/p>\n
McGregor has a 21-4 record in UFC and in 2016 became the first fighter to hold belts in two of the company\u2019s weight categories at the same time.<\/p>\n
He has fought just once in the octagon since then \u2013 the Nurmagomedov defeat \u2013 but lost to Floyd Mayweather in a professional boxing bout in August 2017.<\/p>\n
His opponent this weekend Cerrone boasts a 36-13 record and comes off two defeats.<\/p>\n
McGregor said: \u201cI\u2019ve had my back and forth with Donald throughout the years.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s hard not to respect Donald right now and at this stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has my respect and although there will be blood spilled on January 18, it will not be bad blood.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd for the Mystic Mac prediction, it will be a KO.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 31-year-old was asked about a return to the boxing ring, and said: \u201cI\u2019d love that Floyd rematch. I thought I did very well, I think with some slight adjustments I\u2019d have done even better.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me now, an aspiration of mine is to win a world boxing title, I think that would be a phenomenal feather in the cap.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cerrone said he was relishing the bout at the T-Mobile Arena.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going five rounds with this dude and I cannot wait til Saturday night.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the fight I wanted. Conor is one of the last of a dying breed of fighters and I can\u2019t wait for Saturday night,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n