'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Although he isn't a ranked lightweight yet, Mauricio Ruffy has already envisioned a future UFC lightweight title fight with Islam Makhachev. He would also like the legendary Conor McGregor to be by his corner when or if he ever manages to face the Dagestani champion.
Ruffy said as much in a recent interview with the MMA Junkie, during which he touched on his admiration for the Irishman, who he more than emulates in the cage with his stance and striking style. However, he wants to do more than pay homage to McGregor and hopes to one day have him in his corner.
"One thing that I want is when I'm ready to fight Islam Makhachev, when I go to fight him, I want to invite Conor McGregor to be in my corner, so it's us against the Russians. I want Conor McGregor there. I want Conor McGregor there and [for him] to be up close and taste the victory when I beat the Russians. Khabib [Nurmagomedov] is going to be there, of course, so I want Conor McGregor to be there as part of my corner."
Trending
Check out Mauricio Ruffy's call for Conor McGregor to be in his corner (18:15):
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
The Brazilian is coming off a stunning spinning wheel kick knockout of King Green at UFC 313. However, a matchup with the reigning UFC lightweight champion is quite a ways away for him. Makhachev is unlikely to stick around long enough for Ruffy to crack the top five, as he hasn't even cracked the top 15.
This is especially the case with Makhachev's dreams of capturing a welterweight belt in the future.
Mauricio Ruffy isn't the only fighter who wanted Conor McGregor in his corner against MMA's Dagestani contingent
While Mauricio Ruffy is the latest fighter to express an interest in Conor McGregor cornering him against a Dagestani MMA champion, he isn't the first. At PFL Champions Series 1, Paul Hughes challenged and lost to reigning Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov.
Hughes wasted no time in making it clear he wanted McGregor in his corner against the Nurmagomedov clan. Unfortunately, that never came to fruition, and Hughes and McGregor have since found themselves in a heated feud due to the former's courteous post-fight exchange with Khabib Nurmagomedov.
