Conor McGregor has been all over the map these past few months. The reigning UFC lightweight champion has gotten into trouble both inside and outside of the cage, but yet still holds the cards as the biggest draw in combat sports.
After a report surfaced earlier this month that Manny Pacquiao was in discussion with Team McGregor regarding a potential superfight in early 2018, the door re-opened for “Notorious” to step back inside of the boxing ring. This comes after McGregor lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr. via TKO back in August.
On the flip side, McGregor needs to touch back down inside of the Octagon sooner rather than later. Luckily, the Irishman has options in UFC. He could partake in a lightweight title defense opposite current interim UFC champion Tony Ferguson, a trilogy bout with top rival Nate Diaz, or another adventure up to 170 pounds to challenge welterweight champion Tyron Woodley or mixed martial arts (MMA) superstar Georges St-Pierre.
With so many doors to open and close, McGregor recently shed some light on what he’s considering next. Things could change, but it looks like the 29-year-old is aiming to return to where this entire circus started.
“We’ll see what happens,” McGregor told TMZ earlier this week in New York (shown above). “I think a true fight is what I want to do next.
“A real fight, what’s a real fight? MMA next.”
McGregor added “F*ck WWE” as he was entering his car in effort to close the door on yet another potential endeavor he was linked to.
If McGregor’s thoughts are on MMA right now then the promotion really shouldn’t waste any time. Ferguson did just undergo elbow surgery, but should be able to go in short time. Diaz has been denying fights left and right in search of more money so maybe this is the opening both sides need to book a grudge match. Woodley just underwent surgery as well and has two major contenders on his hand (Robbie Lawler and Rafael dos Anjos), but the promotion has been willing to bend in the past for McGregor’s welterweight antics. St-Pierre is far from returning after battling with ulcerative colitis, but that bout is the most intriguing and lucrative out of all of them.
As of now, fight fans just have to be happy that McGregor is looking to return to MMA and not test the waters in boxing (again) or make a fool of himself under the WWE banner. That’s progress, especially considering the last time “Notorious” was in a MMA cage he was pushing referees and slapping officials.
Get the latest gear
