Conor McGregor planning hometown fight after Khabib Nurmagomedov defeat in Las Vegas… and advisers are already plotting Dublin comeback
The last time the Dubliner fought in Ireland was at a UFC show where the crowd broke the venue’s decibel level record
CONOR McGregor is planning a hometown fight after last night's loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov — but it won’t take place any earlier in the day.
The Irish Sun has learned that the MMA star — who pocketed £45million from his Las Vegas defeat — has advisers already plotting an Irish return.
And Notorious, who was backed by rapper Drake before stepping into the Octagon, won’t run into any obstacles from Dublin City Council.
The last time the Dubliner fought in Ireland was at a UFC show in the city's 3Arena, where the crowd broke the venue’s decibel level record.
And a spokesperson for the stadium this week told us: “We would welcome the UFC and Conor McGregor back any time.”
A timezone clash for pay-per-view buyers in the States is the main obstacle stopping the UFC bringing their No1 superstar back to his homeland.
Thousands of fight fans will stay up into the early hours to watch Conor prove once again that he is the fight firm’s biggest draw when it comes to selling pay per views.
But it would put a major dent in their sales if McGregor fought at 10pm Irish time as it would be too early in the day in the US.
However, UFC boss Dana White side-stepped this problem in the UK when their champion Michael Bisping fought in Manchester in the middle of the night.
The middleweight champ took to the ring at around 5am, with the undercard kicking off at the 20,000-seater Manchester Arena at 11pm.
MORE UFC STORIES
The bizarrely-timed event allowed the fight to screen at the usual PPV times in the States while UK fans also got the chance to see their MMA champion compete live.
It is understood that option is now being examined for Dublin. A 3Arena spokesman refused to be drawn on the possibilty an overnight event in Dublin.
But a Dublin City Council spokesperson told the Irish Sun that no special licence would be required for an indoor event.
A spokesperson said: “No licence is required for an indoor event from Dublin City Council.
“The venue would, however, be bound by any conditions associated with planning permissions attached to the venue.”
McGregor’s plans come as he announced he wants a rematch with Khabib following his fourth-round stoppage - and horror brawl - in Las Vegas.
The Irish star took to Twitter and wrote: "Good knock. Looking forward to the rematch.”
McGregor lost only his fourth-ever professional fight - with one being his boxing clash with Floyd Mayweather last year.
The Irish ace's tweet comes after footage emerged appeared to show the he in fact threw the first punch in last night's appalling brawl with Khabib's team members.
At first glance, it seemed McGregor was attacked by Zubaira Tukhugov and Islam Makhachev following his fourth-round loss.
But footage now appears to show Notorious kicking it all off with a swift punch as the melee first got going.
Dana White had earlier today said Khabib's team may be banned for life for their part in the brawl.
Following the outrageous scenes, White said: "The guys who jumped in will never fight here again."
White and many others piled into the octagon to try and restore some order - with the UFC president refusing to hand the champion his belt in anger.
Khabib had produced a fantastic performance to beat McGregor, who tapped out in the fourth round of their UFC 229 showdown.
Three of the Russian's team have been arrested and taken to jail following the hideous scenes.