Conor McGregor put on a virtuoso performance at UFC 205 dethroning Eddie Alvarez of his lightweight crown to become a simultaneous two-weight UFC champion. The Irishman knocked out Alvarez in the main-event at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York as he now sits on top of the featherweight and lightweight division. McGregor has many options ahead of his return, and we posed the question in our Monday debate.
With potential bouts at featherweight, lightweight and McGregor-weight, the first fighter in the promotions history to hold two titles at the same time has no shortage of opponents. From a Jose Aldo rematch to Khabib Nurmagomedov or Tony Ferguson at 155lbs and who could say no to a Nate Diaz trilogy while a mega-fight with former boxing pound-for-pound king and supposed retired Floyd Mayweather continues to linger.
Since claiming the featherweight title at UFC 194 in just 13-seconds, McGregor has yet to be back at the weight. Competing at welter and lightweight, and Aldo has gone onto capture the interim-title in his absence. Another unification should be on unless McGregor gets stripped but UFC will need an "army" to take any belt off him.
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The lightweight division is considered the shark-tank of the UFC with the top ten full of killers and McGregor entering the already stacked weight class only makes it more intriguing as well as adding further depth by being the most dangerous fighter in the sport. Despite McGregor's activeness, holding two titles will keep up both divisions creating a log-jam of contenders. Which belt does he keep?
Based off their first two memorable fights - and more importantly hugely lucrative pay-per-views - against Nate Diaz a rubber match is always on the card. Both UFC 196 and UFC 202 raked in a staggering estimated 3.2 million PPV buys combined. The Crumlin-fighter has the most leverage he's ever had asking for UFC ownership and equity even suggesting creating 'McGregor promotions' in the past which could possibly pave the way for a boxing extravaganza against Mayweather, though the likelihood of the fight coming to fruition remains unlikely but, shit, Donald Trump is president so who knows.
We posed the question to our Twitter followers consisting of the poll candidates. Whereas some of our audience wanted McGregor to face newly-elected president Trump and Arsenal frontman Olivier Giroud, well, the Frenchman did call out McGregor. Monday debate is below.
Unification number two?:
McGregor against the Dagestan phenom appears to be a popular pick. Nurmagomedov has compiled a ridiculous 24-0 professional record showcasing his unbelievable Sambo prowess:
A chance at making more history by taking on welterweight kingpin Tyron Woodley, anyone? Or a fight with former reigning champion Georges St-Pierre as long as the Canadian superstar can sort out the murky UFC contract situation:
Which fighter will get the 'The Red Panty Night':
Meanwhile, the 28-year-old is expected to sit out the first half of 2017 after announcing he's set to be a father. With the way the promotion set their calendar, McGregor could be line to fight on International Fight Week in July unless he's really imposed that self-ban in Nevada. As mentioned earlier, McGregor's leverage is at an all-time high so he could also force a dream fight at Croke Park for the ultimate championship homecoming.
Topics: Conor Mcgregor, UFC
