CONOR MCGREGOR has been told that targeting a fight with Jorge Masvidal is a “bad idea” by UFC president Dana White.

The Irishman has become embroiled in a heated social media exchange with and the BMF champ over recent months with many believing it will lead to a future clash in the octagon.

McGregor, 31, makes his highly-anticipated return when he battles Donald Cerrone at welterweight at UFC 246 on January 18.

Notorious has shown off his new bulky physique ahead of the showdown, and he is already plotting a rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov and a fight with Masvidal following Cerrone.

However, White has advised the ex-featherweight and lightweight title holder to face Masvidal after the star’s hugely-successful year that saw him defeat Darren Till, Ben Askren and Nate Diaz.

Speaking to MMA Fighting, the UFC chief said: “Conor has this idea, too, that if things don't go his way and he [doesn't] get the fight [with Khabib], he'll have had a 170 fight in his pocket again and [is] considering a [Jorge] Masvidal fight.

“I think everybody knows what I think about it. I think it's a bad idea.

“Conor gets p***ed off when I say it's a bad idea, and he's like, ‘You think I can't beat Masvidal?’

“I'm not saying you can't beat Masvidal. Anybody can beat anybody on any given day, but why? Why go after that fight when you could possibly just wait?”

Masvidal claimed the specially created “Baddest Motherf*****” belt by overcoming Diaz at UFC 244.

White says he has no intentions of making him defend it, although he admitted a mega-money fight with McGregor could persuade him.

He added: “Conor wants that belt from Masvidal. I did it as a one off and like I said, it was fun. It was awesome. We'll see what happens.

“You've got to love the fact that a guy is willing to fight anybody.

“Believe me, I've said this a million times, I'll say it again, I've been in the trenches and when we're standing in the living room and fights pull out, Conor McGregor will fight anybody.”

Source: Read Full Article