Not only does UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman believe Conor McGregor is deserving of a title shot, but he's now offered him just that.
The Nigerian is gearing up to put the belt on the line this summer, and with nearest challenger Jorge Masvidal chasing a Nate Diaz rematch, the Dubliner has become a contender at 170 lbs.
And Usman doesn't agree with the consensus that the former two-weight champ shouldn't be in the reckoning.
He told ESPN: "This will be history. Like I know a lot of people are trying to s*** on it like Conor doesn’t deserve it.
"Okay, but the next guy they would be deserving of the fight would be Leon Edwards and he can’t get into the country, so what?
"If Conor can make this fight happen, why wouldn’t we fight Conor? He just fought at 170 and he looked great.
"Cowboy Cerrone beat a lot of guys that were ranked at 170. He did very well at 170 and Conor went out there and starched him. "Obviously I like Cowboy, and he’s my guy, but Conor went out there and got the job done in less than a minute. So how can people sit here and say Conor is not deserving?"
Usman even went as far as to offer McGregor the title shot, urging him to put his money where his mouth is after the Notorious one claimed to be the greatest across featherweight, lightweight and welterweight.
"He says he’s the pound for pound greatest of all time across three divisions," added Usman.
"This is your chance to prove it, go out there and win a third belt in a third division, so why wouldn’t we make that fight?
"I'm going to give him the opportunity, if Conor wants, let’s do it. But Conor’s quiet now. Who says no to a title shot?
"I’ve never seen this in history, who says no when the champ says come and get your title shot? Unless you know you have no chance in hell of winning.
"This might change the landscape of your fighting career ever. That’s the only chance I can see people saying they're going to pass on that title shot right there."
