Five Potential Opponents For Conor McGregor

For the previous few years, one title has been on the thoughts of MMA followers the world over: Conor McGregor. After sadly breaking his leg in his trilogy battle with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, the Irishman has remained on the sidelines, therapeutic from his damage, filming a remake of the traditional 1989 motion film Highway Home, and making ready to run for president, apparently. Nevertheless, given his standing as the largest box-office draw within the sport at this time, the eventual comeback of McGregor can be a widely-anticipated spectacle, one that may require the right dance companion to make the occasion must-see tv. Given the talent-stacked pool of rivals that make up the light-weight high 10, “The Infamous” could have no scarcity of elite opposition to battle upon his return.

Now, listed here are 5 potential opponents for Conor McGregor 

Michael Chandler

Competing as lately as final Saturday towards former light-weight champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 309, Michael Chandler nonetheless proved that he’s an enormous fan-favorite and a robust contender by almost knocking out the Brazilian within the fifth spherical to the elation of the New York crowd. The bout in the end got here to be resulting from a failed reserving between Chandler and McGregor, who had been anticipated to face off at UFC 303 however the Irishman ended up pulling out resulting from a damaged toe. In his post-fight interview, a battered however charismatic Chandler as soon as once more referred to as out McGregor, seemingly stoking the flames once more for an amazing cash battle with the worldwide fight sports activities celebrity.

After limitless back-and-forth between these two males for over a yr, together with teaching a season of the Final Fighter towards one another, it appeared that the rivalry Chandler shared with McGregor was to be fully fruitless. Nevertheless, along with his gutsy efficiency at Madison Sq. Backyard (his first bout in two years), he might have earned himself one other shot on the former two division champion. To what extent his loss to the Brazilian may need impacted that shot remains to be up for debate, however as certainly one of UFC’s hottest fighters (and given their heated historical past), Chandler makes for a really perfect opponent for a returning McGregor. It’s seemingly the charismatic Irishman could be a Vegas favourite on this battle, which bettors who use the 20bet bonus code would be capable to money in on the hype prepare.

Dan Hooker

From going 1-4 in 5 fights, to embarking on a stellar present three bout win streak, Dan Hooker has undergone a sensational resurgence as of late. Ranked quantity six at 155 lbs., the gritty New Zealander was final seen in motion at UFC 305, the place he defeated Polish wrestling specialist Mateusz Gamrot.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 18: Dan Hooker of New Zealand fights Mateusz Gamrot of Poland within the Light-weight Bout throughout UFC 305 at RAC Enviornment on August 18, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photograph by Paul Kane/Getty Photographs)

Following the botched pairing between Chandler and McGregor, Hooker threw his personal title into the crimson panty night time sweepstakes, which appears to have all been agreed upon by each events. A matchup with “The Hangman” presents a enjoyable and difficult puzzle for the Irishman, as Hooker is thought for his immense sturdiness and lengthy attain that might maintain even the “Infamous One” at bay. Coming off such an extended lay off, McGregor’s fuel tank and persistence will certainly be examined towards the veteran fighter from New Zealand, who has shared the cage with a number of high strikers like Chandler, Dustin Poirier, and Islam Makhachev. 

Dustin Poirier

Though he might have gotten the TKO victory throughout their third and probably final battle collectively, there might but be a lingering sense of unfinished enterprise between McGregor and Dustin Poirier. Whereas the Louisiana native regarded completely dominant within the moments main as much as the ghastly leg break, he nonetheless wasn’t fairly in a position to get the end that might have led to the definitive finish to his feud along with his long-time rival. Although it appears he has effectively moved on from ever combating McGregor for a fourth time, a last encounter with the Irishman would most likely clear away any residing inconclusiveness which will but exist inside himself, the European, and the MMA neighborhood. 

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 10: (L-R) Dustin Poirier punches Conor McGregor of Eire in the course of the UFC 264 occasion at T-Cellular Enviornment on July 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

A tetralogy match with McGregor additionally makes full sense for Poirier from a monetary standpoint. After being submitted by light-weight king Islam Makhachev at UFC 302, Poirier has said on a number of events that he has just extra journey to the cage in him earlier than he hangs up his gloves for good. For that final particular stroll to the Octagon, why not permit the long run Corridor of Famer to take dwelling arguably the largest payday of his profession towards the game’s largest title?

Justin Gaethje 

Standing as one of many extra desired matchups within the historical past of the fashionable UFC, a pairing between Justin Gaethje and McGregor has the potential for turning into a battle of the last decade candidate. On high of being among the many most entertaining and violent fighters on the planet, each lightweights command an unlimited quantity of energy, simply being labeled as two of the toughest punchers within the division. For years, the 2 have traded phrases with one another, with “The Spotlight” even mentioning final yr how he needs to finish McGregor’s profession. Nonetheless, these two bruising 155-lb. standouts have by no means been in a position to cross paths. 

When checked out from an analytical standpoint, Gaethje makes for the right counter to the Irishman, as a result of, as confirmed evident from his confrontations with Poirier, McGregor has a tough time coping with leg kicks, that are the Arizona native’s specialty. Not solely that, relying on how effectively the “Infamous One”’s ankle has managed to heal over the previous three years, their bout might finish in a short time, contemplating Gaethje will undoubtedly goal his legs first.

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – JULY 29: (L-R) Justin Gaethje kicks Dustin Poirier in a light-weight battle for the BMF belt in the course of the UFC 291 occasion at Delta Middle on July 29, 2023 in Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah. (Photograph by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC by way of Getty Photographs)

That isn’t to say McGregor can be outclassed or hopeless. In any case, this is similar man who turned a double champion by knocking out each title holders in dramatic and iconic style. That power positively nonetheless hasn’t pale, and remembering how Gaethje was lately dispatched by Max Holloway by way of knockout at UFC 300, a well-placed left hook may very well be all that McGregor must get himself again on the board.

Max Holloway

Greater than a decade in the past at UFC Combat Evening 26, a younger Max Holloway took on the soon-to-be worldwide phenom Conor McGregor, shedding to the European by unanimous resolution. Within the years because the defeat, Holloway has grown into one of many biggest blended martial artists of all time, at one level standing because the Featherweight Champion with 4 title defenses. He even snatched the favored BMF strap from Justin Gaethje earlier this yr at UFC 300 in true viral style, flattening “The Spotlight” with a masterful proper hook. Nevertheless, “Blessed” has fallen on laborious occasions since falling to 145-lb champion Ilia Topuria final month by knockout, the very first of his greater than 30 battle profession. 

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 13: (R-L) Max Holloway punches Justin Gaethje in a light-weight battle in the course of the UFC 300 occasion at T-Cellular Enviornment on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC by way of Getty Photographs)

This in the end prompted Holloway to make the everlasting transfer as much as light-weight earlier this month, leaving one notably attractive contest on the desk for his first match of his new division: a rematch with McGregor. In a spectacular pairing between former featherweight kings, this hypothetical bout can solely be described as a hanging extravaganza. Possessing certainly one of, if not the perfect, fuel tanks within the sport, Holloway’s completely suffocating tempo will check the Irishman to see if he can sustain after a prolonged hiatus away from the cage. On the flip aspect, after having his as soon as iron-clad chin lastly cracked by Topuria, it isn’t out of the realm of chance that the stronger McGregor can ship a strong blow to ship the Hawaiian crashing to the canvas for the second time in a row.