What Is Next For Conor McGregor In The UFC? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

What Is Next For Conor McGregor In The UFC?

The future for the most popular figure in Mixed-Martial Arts history.

37
What Is Next For Conor McGregor In The UFC?

In This Article:

After suffering a loss at the hands of one of UFC's most polished fighters, Dustin "the Diamond" Poirier, the future for Conor McGregor seems quite unclear.

While Dustin Poirier seems to be primed for a title shot, the search for an opponent for McGregor seems necessary, as McGregor has expressed the desire to fight again this year. Not only is a McGregor fight essential to the UFC for their business, but it is great for the entire fighting world. With Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor's formal rival, retired, it seems as if McGregor's field of opponents are slim.

However, there are some great options for Conor, some which may be the biggest pay-per-view of the year for the UFC. Here are possible opponents which should step in the ring with McGregor in this upcoming year.

Nate Diaz

Diaz vs. McGregor

Nate Diaz record- (21 wins-12 losses)

With Nate Diaz, last fighting a little over a year ago, it might be difficult to incentivize him to come back - especially since Diaz is known to be quite difficult. Though, what is more enticing than a fight scheduled with Conor McGregor?

Not only would the fight be a huge pay-per-view draw, but the score between Diaz and McGregor is 1-1 right now. With Diaz winning the first fight, by second round submission, and Conor winning the second fight by decision. The rivalry needs a trilogy fight to settle it all.

Not only were the two fights between Diaz and McGregor extremely entertaining, but the press conferences and pre-fight interactions always held entertaining confrontations between the two. With Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor being some of the UFC's most polarizing figures, it only seems fit to have the two face off for a final fight.

The two continuously take shots at another over social media, so we may all be in store for Conor McGregor vs Nate Diaz 3.

Dustin Poirier or Justin Gaethje

Poirier vs. Gaethje

Record- Dustin Poirier (27-6) or Justin Gaethje (22-3)

First, Dustin Poirier.

Conor beat Dustin in their first matchup due to first round KO, and Dustin gave Conor his first loss due to knock out in the rematch. The future match up would settle a 1-1 score right now between McGregor and Dustin Poirier. However, Poirier deserves a fight for the title next, so McGregor will have to wait for now.

That being said, the matchup could come later on in the year. In order for that to occur, McGregor would have to fight someone in order to get a rematch with Dustin. Which leads me to my next point.

I believe the title fight to make, is Dustin Poirier vs Justin Gaethje. Poirier and Gaethje fought nearly two years ago, with Poirier coming out on top. Since then both fighters have improved vastly, and are both very polished strikers. A fight between the two would be a display of world class striking, which would exhibit the very best of the UFC.

If Poirier and Gaethje fought for a title, McGregor should fight the loser, for a title shot. Due to Conor's past and his ability to promote fights, it is fair that he gets a title shot this year. However, his road to the belt will have to go through Gaethje or Poirier.

Could we see Dustin "The Diamond" vs Conor "The Notorious", or will it be Justin "the Highlight" instead of Poirier?

Tony Ferguson

Tony Ferguson

Tony Ferguson Record- (26-5)

Tony Ferguson has lost his last two fights, both to current top three Lightweight contenders. Ferguson needs a fight to revamp his career, and to a lesser extent, so does Conor. The difference between the two: Ferguson has remained active in the past year, Conor has not.

Ferguson vs. McGregor has been discussed and in the works for some time, however, it has never came into fruition. Now might be the best time of any to put these two entertaining fighters against each other. Both fighters would fight for, not only a possible title shot, but also they would fight for their MMA careers - a loss for either would be detrimental.

Yes, Conor could handle a loss much better than Ferguson, due to his popularity outside of the UFC. If he wants a title shot in the near future, he needs a win against Ferguson.

With Ferguson formerly ranked 5th and McGregor formally ranked 6th(as of January 25th) in the Lightweight division, it seems almost inevitable that the UFC is considering a fight between the two, especially with the money the fight would bring in. For a non-title fight, it is one of the best options for a fight involving the name McGregor.

While a McGregor fight isn't for sure in this upcoming year, it seems like we will have another chance to watch one of the most iconic fighters of all time before the year 2021 is over.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

13570
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

2634
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 14 Stages Of The Last Week Of Class

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1604
black marker on notebook

December... it's full of finals, due dates, Mariah Carey, and the holidays. It's the worst time of the year, but the best because after finals, you get to not think about classes for a month and catch up on all the sleep you lost throughout the semester. But what's worse than finals week is the last week of classes, when all the due dates you've put off can no longer be put off anymore.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments