12 Potential Competitors Given Conor McGregor’s UFC Return

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Conor McGregor holds an Irish flag as he arrives for his official weigh-in at T-Mobile Arena on August 25, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Former UFC two-category champion Conor McGregor seems close to returning to the Octagon, and MMA Junkie recently compiled a list of 12 potential opponents for the Irishman.

McGregor shared on social media in March of an update from his doctor, who said he was under medical observation. “Notorious” broke his leg during a UFC 264 three-part fight in July 2021 against Dustin Poirier, and for months he had predicted that April would be the time when he returned to MMA training.

If all goes well, fans could see McGregor fight this summer or fall. Notorious recently shared that he wants to fight at 170 pounds, but that doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of exciting bouts for him at lightweight.

MMA Junkie’s Nolan King shared some 155-pound names for McGregor to take on, namely UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, Michael Chandler, Tony Ferguson, Justin Gaethje, former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos, Islam Makhachev, Beneil Dariush and Poirier.

And there are four boxers he could meet at 170 pounds, King suggested. On the list are UFC heavyweight champion Kamaru Usman, Nate Diaz, Jorge Masvidal and former 170-pound UFC champion Robbie Lawler.

McGregor says he wants to fight Usman to get back

There was only one name out of the 12 shared warriors that Notorious seemed interested in. And that is “Nigerian’s Nightmare”. In a recent interview with The Mac Life’s Oscar Willis, McGregor shared that he intends to challenge Usman for the 170-pound belt.

“I believe it’s the fight to make,” McGregor said. “I believe myself versus Usman for the 170-pound title for my back fight is the one I’m closing my eyes on this minute. Honestly, I haven’t really said that to anyone yet. I just thought so for the past few days. “

Unfortunately for Notorious, Usman has his next opponent, according to UFC president Dana White. A few weeks ago, White confirmed that Leon Edwards will receive his next championship after Usman’s hand heals from surgery he just underwent.

After Oliveira defended her lightweight title against Poirier in December at UFC 269, McGregor tweeted: “So when do I fight Oliveira?” However, his most recent comments indicate that Notorious will be leaving the lightweight division.

McGregor feels ‘confident’ against Usman, doesn’t care about lightweight

McGregor told Willis he doesn’t want to drop to 155 pounds, especially after suffering such a “terrible injury.” Furthermore, Notorious feels “confident” that he can dethrone the Nigerian Nightmare as he sees no “danger” with Usman’s skill set.

McGregor said: “I lowered myself to a light frame. “But, I’m grown up now. I feel big, I feel strong, I feel healthy. You know, I have good energy. I will be back after a terrible injury.

“I don’t want to exhaust myself. There’s no need to exhaust yourself. And I feel confident going up against Usman. The orthodox wrestler Jab is cheerful, sloppy, devoid of any submissiveness. What are you going to do? What is the danger here? I don’t see any danger to him. His ground and pounds are not strong. Plus, he’s on the older side. ”