Conor McGregor backed to challenge for brand-new UFC title after teasing UFC 300 fight, he could make history

Conor McGregor has been backed to challenge for a brand-new UFC title, having hinted at a UFC 300 fight.

McGregor is closing in on his Octagon return after two-and-a-half years away from the MMA promotion.

He hasn't fought since his crushing defeat to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 back in July 2021.

However, a showdown against Michael Chandler is in the works, with the pair going head-to-head on the latest series of The Ultimate Fighter.

McGregor teased a return at UFC 300 in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 13, tweeting: "McGregor on 300 seals the deal."

And according to Daniel Cormier, the 'Notorious' could be competing for UFC gold at UFC 300.

He revealed that he's heard the UFC are looking to add a 165lbs division in a re-structure of their weight classes.

And Dana White and Co are supposedly looking to book McGregor vs. Chandler for the inaugural 165lbs UFC title.

On his YouTube channel, Cormier said: "Somebody said the UFC was looking to add 165lb and move 170lb to 175lb because they want McGregor vs Chandler at the 165lb world title fight. If you do though, it has to be Conor, if you do 165lb, it has to be Conor.

"You are introducing a new weight class, it has to mean something. You can’t have two normal fighters introducing the weight."

Conor McGregor celebrates his victory at UFC 205. Image: Getty

If the UFC created a 165lbs title and McGregor won the championship at that weight, then he'd become the very first three-weight UFC champion, having won UFC titles at featherweight and lightweight.

He famously knocked out Jose Aldo in 13-seconds to win the UFC featherweight championship and stopped Eddie Alvarez to claim the UFC lightweight title.

There's currently a 15lbs weight disparity between the UFC lightweight and UFC welterweight divisions.

The introduction of a UFC light-welterweight weight category would tighten the difference between the weights from lightweight to welterweight.

Topics: Conor McGregor, UFC, Michael Chandler

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

@NasJabbar