Any way the wind blows, Conor McGregor has a war ahead of him. ‘The Notorious’ returns in a five-round feature headliner in June’s International Fight Week. UFC 303 marks him breaking off from a three-year layoff since his 2021 loss and injury. His imminent return has magnetized quite the anticipation from peers and pundits even. Even UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier has a plan for the way forward.
During a Live Kickstream Q&A Session with duelbits.com, Conor McGregor indicated his desire to stay active through the year following his spectacular UFC 303 showdown. Currently, he fights Michael Chandler in the latter’s welterweight debut. However, with just two fights left on his contractual run, his return is no more than a redemption. Whichever way that goes, ‘DC’ has a way out.
I believe, if he gets through Michael Chandler, …I say give him a title fight. Put him in there with (Dustin) Poirier or (Islam) Makhachev on Mexican Independence Day or sometime soon thereafter…If he loses, put him in there with Tony Ferguson. Tony Ferguson deserves to have that big platform the last time to see if he can go and do what he said he was going to do to Conor all of those times and so long ago..,
Daniel Cormier via the “Good Guy/Bad Guy” Weekly MMA Show (ESPN/ESPNPodcenter)
McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) has remained a long-standing draw, with much earning power for the UFC. His return event has preemptively subbed in a projected live gate of $20 million in pre-sales. But peers and pundits can’t ignore the hard-hitting waning influence he has had over the past years. McGregor’s return can have a deep impact on the UFC, whether he wins or loses.
According to Cormier, Tony Ferguson is the answer. El Cucuy’ hit 0-7 in a row this past December after a lopsided defeat at UFC 296. Thus, he needs a legacy fight with Conor McGregor in a long-losing limbo. The duo have had a dormant rivalry going for years, with Ferguson stating the Dubliner would never sign on for a clash. As such, it could also act as a perfect end for Ferguson as well.
Daniel Cormier fancies a ‘BMF’ challenge for Conor McGregor
Even before news of Conor McGregor’s UFC 303 return went up, hardcore fans and enthusiasts noticed his visible bulk. With a stout midriff and torso, fans were speculating the birthing of a new 165-pound division. Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler would have been the inaugural titleholders.
Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway for the silver strap would be an interesting matchup (Source: Instagram/dailyasia.com/scottishsun.cu.uk)Due to his immense popularity, many pundits have pushed for the Irishman to skip the line to title shots once he returns. Daniel Cormier postulates that if he loses, he will work through a legacy battle with a similarly washed-up Ferguson. But what if he wins? If he wins, he will be the best of the best to rebound after years of ring rust. The title shots are good; the “BMF” strap seems all the more better.
In December, let him do Max Holloway…Let him and Max Holloway fight. I want to see Conor McGregor and Max Holloway today, …[as] opposed to Max Holloway when they were children. The first time they fought, they were kids…I want to see Max Holloway get an opportunity to right that wrong against Conor McGregor, especially if it’s the Max Holloway that we saw fight Justin Gaethje…
Daniel Cormier via the “Good Guy/Bad Guy” Weekly MMA Show (ESPN/ESPNPodcenter)
Max Holloway recently won the 155-pound BMF strap after a buzzer-beating performance. The duo faced each other on UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen; the Hawaiian took the loss. They maintain an active line of social media barbing to this day.
Compared to then, the “BMF” and the former two-division champ have a better ring to it. Especially if McGregor wins his return bout, they should have a rematch. If such a bout occurs, it can have internet-breaking implications whirling up a storm.
