Five opponents for Conor McGregor to fight in UFC return including Michael Chandler and Dustin Poirier
CONOR McGREGOR is primed for a massive UFC comeback fight this year – and has plenty of names ready to welcome him back.
The Irishman spent all of 2022 sidelined as he recovered from the horror leg break he suffered in his last bout.
But McGregor is chomping at the bit to make his anticipated fighting return.
He tweeted: “I’m going to slice through someone on return. Trust that. And I don’t care who. Line up.”
Here, SunSport runs down who could be the one to bring McGregor back to the UFC octagon.
Michael Chandler
Chandler, 36, is the current frontrunner to face McGregor, 34, with even UFC president Dana White favouring the fight.
The American is 2-3 since debuting in the promotion and most recently lost to Dustin Poirier, 33, in November.
Chandler’s electric style promises to catch fire with McGregor’s, making it an obvious choice to come next.
Dustin Poirier
McGregor’s history with Poirier dates back to 2014 when he won their featherweight original in round one.
But seven years later, Poirier returned the favour with a KO and then McGregor snapped his leg in the July 2021 trilogy.
It has kept the rivalry alive amid rumours of a fourth fight, something both have welcomed in recent months.
Jorge Masvidal
Masvidal, 37, is one of the UFC’s biggest pay-per-view draws next to McGregor and has campaigned for the fight.
The welterweight is coming off three losses himself but has made it no secret he wants a blockbuster with McGregor.
Their stand-up striking styles and skills on the mic make for an exciting prospect both in and out of the cage.
Justin Gaethje
Gaethje, 34, has not fought since May, when he was beaten by Charles Oliveira, 33, in a lightweight title challenge.
He has long feuded with McGregor and even called him “a s*** human, father, and husband.”
It drew a furious reaction from McGregor, who threatened to “butcher’ Gaethje, leaving for a grudge match in the making.
Charles Oliveira
When Oliveira was title holder, he made it clear McGregor was his No1 priority.
The fight never came to fruition and instead the Brazilian lost the belt to Islam Makhachev, 31.
But should McGregor fancy a run back to the lightweight title, Oliveira would be the perfect man to earn it against.