Seven opponents for Conor McGregor including old rival Khabib, welterweight champ Usman and 45-year-old Anderson Silva
CONOR McGREGOR is ready to fight again – but is struggling to find an opponent.
Never out of options, the 31-year-old Irishman could well face any name in his weight class of choosing, but appears to be in the lurch with several rivals otherwise occupied.
A much anticipated rematch with lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has been promised by UFC boss Dana White, but McGregor will have to wait for the Russian to first face Justin Gaethje, set for September.
It leaves No1 contender for the belt in need of a fight to fill the time – but risks losing all the momentum that has him on the brink of another title shot.
Here SunSport lists seven opponents McGregor could share the Octagon with in his comeback fight.
NATE DIAZ
If ever the time was right for McGregor to finally settle the score with old foe Diaz, it’s now.
With the pair tied at one apiece as well as Nurmagomedov and the lightweight belt out the picture until the end of the year, this is the perfect opportunity for the trilogy bout.
Their history and bad blood makes for a mega-money fight, while also giving McGregor the chance to put himself at the centre of another blockbuster event, opposed to another normal ranked challenger.
But Jorge Masvidal – who beat Diaz in his last fight – has already offered the cult hero a rematch, meaning McGregor will have to act fast to get his rival back in the cage again.
JORGE MASVIDAL
Another super-fight available for McGregor is Masvidal – who won the ‘Baddest Mother F***er’ belt against Diaz last November.
Masvidal has made it clear he wants to face McGregor, who stands to earn more money should he stay at welterweight, and White recently confirmed his interest in the fight should the duo agree terms.
A win for McGregor over Masvidal puts him right into contention for the welterweight title, further enhancing his growing list of options.
And even a loss may not affect his pursuit of a rematch against Nurmagomedov, only needing to move back down to keep the fight alive.
KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV
It’s clear UFC boss White wants McGregor to rematch with nemesis Nurmagomedov – predicting it will break their box office record.
Khabib seems unwilling to face the Irish star until he earns his way back to a title shot – but unfortunately for the Dagestani hero, money talks, and McGregor brings in the richest revenue for the UFC.
But the rematch is unlikely to take place until fans are allowed to attend events again, with the UFC due to lose a substantial amount of revenue without ticket sales.
Meaning if Nurmagomedov is the next man to face McGregor, the southpaw is on course to be on the sidelines until at least December.
JUSTIN GAETHJE
Should lightweight king Khabib be unable to face Gaethje at White’s desired target of September, McGregor is no doubt the replacement alternative.
And even if the American loses against Nurmagomedov, and the Russian decides to take time off, going straight into a fight with The Notorious is a guaranteed mega-fight.
Gaethje’s aggressive but improved fighting style is the perfect clash against McGregor’s counter-punching expertise.
And after the pair exchanged words online, the UFC have a bitter grudge match at their disposal.
ANDERSON SILVA
McGregor and Silva have had a history of sending cordial but surprise call outs to each other, with The Notorious accepting the latest challenge and even hinted he would face the Brazilian legend at middleweight.
Silva, at 45, is well past his prime which contrasts with McGregor who only two years ago reigned the lightweight champion.
But the Brazilian’s height, reach and weight advantage makes the potential crossroads fight at least competitive in an otherwise pointless fight.
Should McGregor truly be out of options, stepping up to face the much larger but vastly fading Silva would make for compelling viewing, with their expert striking sure to please fans.
KAMARU USMAN
Before and after McGregor piled on the pounds to beat Cerrone at welterweight, he said challenging for Usman’s title was in his plans.
If he was successful it would make him the UFC’s only ever three-division champion, with the Irishman already becoming the first fighter to hold two belts at the same time
Not wanting to let a mega-money payday slip, Usman publicly offered McGregor a shot at his belt, with talks to defend it against Masvidal appearing to have collapsed.
But the 170lb champion blasted The Notorious for meeting his offer with silence, but it can only be expected, with White already stressing he is not advising McGregor fight for the welterweight crown.
DUSTIN POIRIER
Should McGregor need a win against another lightweight challenger before fighting for the belt, Poirier acts as the perfect opponent.
McGregor took out Poirier in just a round of their 2014 clash at featherweight, but the pair have recently traded words online fuelling speculation of a rematch.
Poirier is currently the No3-ranked lightweight with McGregor a place below him.
Meaning a win for the Irishman rightfully earns him a spot next to interim champion Gaethje and lightweight king Khabib, making him the No1 contender.
