Jorge Masvidal has revealed he is willing to forgo a shot at the UFC welterweight title and fight Conor McGregor .
Masvidal enjoyed a breakout year in 2019 with victories over Darren Till, Ben Askren and Nate Diaz.
He is a leading contender to be the next challenger for Kamaru Usman's 170lb belt after his victory over Colby Covington last month.
But as McGregor prepares to return to the Octagon against Donald Cerrone at welterweight on Saturday week, Masvidal is ready to take on the Irishman.
"Yes, I would want that fight because it's a big money fight; he's a two-weight world champion, he has an impressive record and he comes to fight," he told ESPN.
"We're going to sell out wherever we fight and there's going to be violence.
"But if he doesn't want to fight then I'm not a bully, if you don't want to fight, don't fight me, but don't flirt with me.
"You either want it or you don't, leave me alone if you don't and I'll go fight Usman.
"I decide when Usman is going to fight, he might have the belt but I'm the one calling the shots - it's going to be a hostile takeover.
"Even I know my management would say - and I would say - the Conor fight because it's the money fight and it's not always going to be there.
"Usman is always going to be there, someone is always going to have the belt.
"But I also have something to get and that's to show everyone in my division, my peers, that I am the best through and through.
"It's going to take some time but I'm going to show it, year after year."
McGregor is planning to fight three times this year and has repeatedly called out Masvidal.
He said recently: "I would face Jorge but I'm not going to 170 just to fight Jorge.
"He hasn't really got anything... I wasn't really that happy with how the [Diaz] thing finished, it was only just getting going, we were robbed of rounds four and five in that bout.
"I like that welterweight belt, I liked the welterweight title fight that was on, I liked the look of Kamaru Usman and I liked the look of Colby; I'm open to it all at 170lb. "
