Conor McGregor: 'I will be champion by end of year'

Conor McGregor has become one of the UFC's biggest international stars, in short order. On Saturday, just two fights into his UFC career, McGregor will headline a card in his home town of Dublin.

Despite his rapid rise, the 26 year-old featherweight doesn't feel as if the trip is surreal or unexpected. "It doesn’t seem surreal. I believed it in when others would not," he recently told MMA Fighting.

"I had that clear, clear vision..I seem to have the habit of predicting the future. I have these visions and they seem to come true. I’m never going to doubt them and no one else should, either."

McGregor's audacious visions of grandeur include becoming a world champion as well. In fact, the brash Irishman doesn't just believe that he'll one day become a champ - he's sure that he'll be the 145 pound title-holder by the end of this year.

"I have a clear, clear vision that that gold belt is around my waist by the end of the year," he said.

"By the end of 2014. And, I don’t know why but it’s clear as day that that belt is wrapped around my waist.

"I’m coming for all of it. I’m coming for the gold. I’m taking over the game. You just sit back and relax and watch me take over the game."

First up, McGregor will face Diego Brandao on Saturday night in Dublin. Do you think McGregor has world championship potential?

Let us know in the comments section.

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