Chael Sonnen: Conor McGregor will do 'all he can' to make Floyd Mayweather fight happen next

Conor McGregor made history last Saturday night (Nov. 12, 2016) at UFC 205, becoming the first two-division titleholder in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) history after his complete and total decimation of Eddie Alvarez (watch video highlights here). Indeed, Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y., was abuzz as the brash Irish "double champion," 28, hoisted both the Featherweight and Lightweight titles up in the air moments after his record-setting victory. It was an iconic moment for "Notorious," as well as the world's leading mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion, which made its first appearance in "Empire State" since UFC 7 "Brawl In Buffalo" took place in Sept. 1995.

Get full UFC 205 results here.

So, what's next for McGregor? Will he defend the 155-pound strap against No.1-ranked contender and winner of nine straight fights, Tony Ferguson? Or, will he take on No. 2-ranked contender Khabib Nurmagomedov? The undefeated Russian had an impressive return from injury at UFC 205, handing Michael Johnson a behind-the-woodshed-like beating before submitting him in the third round.

Of course, a trilogy match against Nate Diaz is also a strong possibility.

ESPN UFC analyst and Bellator Light Heavyweight, Chael Sonnen, happens to think it won't be any of the above just yet. In fact, he thinks that McGregor's next bout may not take place in the Octagon.

"In the short-term ... Let me give you the short-term answer because long term, look, the sky is the limit for Conor," he said. "Nobody knows what he wants to do. He does have a contract with the promotion. Ultimately, he will need Dana White on board for whatever he wants to do as long as he is under contract with the UFC. What Conor is telling people —and we are only as good as the information we are given — what Conor is telling people privately —he hasn't done it publicly yet — but he is saying, 'Look, with a win here tonight, should I beat Eddie [Alvarez], I'm going to take some time off and I'm going to do everything I can to get the boxing match with Floyd Mayweather.'

More on that rumored "Money" fight here.

"Allegedly, now again the only person that can sign off on this contractually is Dana White to come in and promote. Allegedly. Rumor. Dana White is a little bit open to the idea to at least hearing what it is he wants to do instead of having a closed door. So leave the speculation at that. I happen to think there's some legs to it, myself. As far as MMA goes, I think the son-of-a-gun will fight anybody. He's been saying he will. He was picking fights backstage with Tyron Woodley, with Khabib Nurmagomedov. After what we saw here tonight, he gets to make his own choices."

A fight with Mayweather has been talked about ad-nauseum for quite some time. And most pundits think there is little to no chance of it ever coming to fruition. However, McGregor has continued to set records at the gate and pay-per-view (PPV) in his recent fights and has even spoke about wanting a piece of ownership. It goes without saying that if that fight were to ever take place, it would certainly rake in a boatload of money.

McGregor continues to wield leverage and gain power within UFC, but would he have enough to get a fight with "Money" Mayweather made? The champion has openly talked about the match up with the undefeated boxer before, but if he is putting his desire to fight Mayweather into motion like Sonnen suggests he is, than we will know sooner or later if it actually has a chance of happening.