Conor McGregor could create new piece of MMA history if shock change is made to UFC 303

Conor McGregor could make MMA history if a surprise change is made ahead of UFC 303.

Excitement is building ahead of Conor McGregor's eagerly anticipated return to action after three years away.

The Irishman has not stepped foot in the cage since 2021, when he suffered a broken ankle during a defeat to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.

Since recovering McGregor has turned his hand to acting, starring in Amazon's new film Road House alongside Jake Gyllenhaal.

The 35-year-old is now poised to return to action in June, when he takes on American fighter Michael Chandler in a welterweight bout at UFC 303 in Las Vegas.

McGregor is the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, and became the first UFC fighter to hold championships in two different weight classes simultaneously.

He could make more history if UFC adopts an idea put forward by former fighter Daniel Cormier.

Speaking on Good Guy Bad Guy, Cormier proposed the creation of a 'super lightweight' division that would sit between lightweight and welterweight.

Dana White and Conor McGregor at a UFC press conference. Image: Getty

There are weight limits of 155 pounds and 170 pounds in the lightweight and welterweight divisions respectively, so Cormier suggested that a super lightweight division would have a 165-pound limit.

The 45-year-old proposed that McGregor and Chandler fight for the newly created belt at UFC 303, which would give the Irish star the chance to make history.

If McGregor were to win such a belt, then he would become the first ever three-weight UFC champion.

Chandler, 37, has not fought since November 2022.

Like McGregor, the American's last fight also ended in defeat to Poirier, when he lost via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round. His UFC record stands at 23-8-0.