McGregor laser focused on UFC title shot

There is one remaining obstacle standing in the way of Conor McGregor getting a chance to fulfill what he has insisted to be his destiny since making his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut in April 2013.

McGregor has been promised a title shot against featherweight champion Jose Aldo should he emerge victorious from his main event bout on the UFC card tonight in Boston.

His opponent — Dennis Siver — pretty much has been an afterthought.

Almost every bit of promotion for the event has been about McGregor, who has been called the most marketable fighter in the organization’s history by UFC president Dana White.

Even the event poster for UFC Fight Night 59 features McGregor, with his native Irish flag draped around him, in the foreground, with Siver and his German flag tucked away in the corner over McGregor’s left shoulder.

It seems clear the fight is about only one of the main event combatants. In his own inimitable style, McGregor addressed whether he was overlooking Siver.

“I don’t look past anyone; I look through them,” McGregor said. “The goal at the end of the day is world titles.”

McGregor is 4-0 in the UFC, and his star has grown exponentially with each appearance. He combines an exciting style with a brilliant ability to spew humorous and cutting one-liners anytime a microphone is turned on in his vicinity.

All that has made the 26-year-old one of the fastest risers in recent memory. It long has been assumed his potential title bout against Aldo would be at a 90,000-seat soccer stadium in Ireland. White hinted last week it also could be in Las Vegas or an outdoor venue in Brazil.

Either way, McGregor says he is planning on his next fight to be for the belt.

“I’ll put Dennis away, and I have my tradition,” McGregor said of his ritual of sitting down after victories to discuss his next fight with UFC executives. “We’ll toast that fine-ass whiskey, and we’ll discuss the stadium (in Ireland).”

Siver, 36, is perceived to be a showcase opponent for McGregor. He prefers to keep fights standing, which plays into McGregor’s strengths.

“I feel a little bit disappointed that I haven’t got more support for my whole career and position in the fight,” Siver said. “But at the end of the day, it’s only going to be good for me. Conor’s got the exposure, and by beating him, I’ll change the trajectory of my career.”

McGregor has predicted a quick knockout, something he has correctly called in each of his past two fights.

“At the end of the day, it’s wishful thinking,” Siver said. “He’s using how quickly he’s going to finish me to promote the fight. He’s full of (expletive), and it’s not going to happen.”

McGregor said he thought he was alone in making predictions for his past two fights. Now, he thinks people are starting to finally believe him.

“I believe people are seeing it now with me. Before, that wasn’t the case,” he said. “Now I feel they are, and Sunday night they will see it once again.”

The fight headlines a card that also features a lightweight bout between Donald Cerrone and former champion Benson Henderson. They fought each other twice in World Extreme Cagefighting, with Henderson winning both.

The main card airs live on Fox Sports 1 (Cable 319) at 7 p.m., with the preliminary card airing on the network at 4.

■ NOTE — The UFC announced it has fined light heavyweight champion Jon Jones $25,000 for a violation of the organization’s Code of Conduct.

Jones tested positive for cocaine during an out-of-competition drug test by the Nevada Athletic Commission a month before his successful Jan. 3 title defense at the MGM Grand Garden.

There was no discipline by the commission because cocaine is not classified as a banned substance for out-of-competition athletes.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.