Conor McGregor needs to beat one WBC ranked fighter to be eligible for fighting in World Title

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed that Conor McGregor will be eligible to fight for the World title if he beats at least one ranked WBC fighter.

“I would say, he needs to face and defeat a ranked fighter, then he would be eligible to be ranked and to compete for a title,” Sulaiman was quoted as saying by SunSport.

“Because, we have plenty of examples of Muay Thai fighters, who turn professional in international boxing, and they are eligible to fight for the title.

“We also have amateur superstars like Vasiliy Lomachenko, they come into professional boxing and fight for the title and it’s proven it works.”

The WBC had also helped in sanctioning McGregor’s lucrative fight with Floyd Mayweather in 2017, which the Irishman lost in 10 rounds.

McGregor has a history of being the UFC’s top attraction as he has won 19 knockouts in his 22 wins. So he can be expected to be equally good in the WBC.

“If he is to start boxing and proves with victories in boxing then he should certainly be given the opportunity to fight for a world title,” said Sulaiman.

“We, in the WBC, consider the amateur career as one of the criteria for rankings.

“And, for example Muay Thai, in Thailand, we consider that career also when they enter into boxing.

“So, Conor has a mixed martial arts resume, so if he comes into boxing and wins a fight against a ranked fighter, he would be eligible to be ranked.

“This is not a rookie entering the sport, he has a long history of combat sports, so it’s a different scenario of what it used to be in the past.”

McGregor had done well in the initial rounds of his fight against Mayweather but he got tired ultimately which led to his defeat.

But the 32-year-old has still kept himself motivated and has kept asking for a rematch ever since then. He is even in talks to face Manny Pacquiao in the near future.

At present, however, McGregor is focused on his rematch with Dustin Porier on January 23, which will announce his return to the octagon.