Conor McGregor's comeback is almost upon as he faces Donald Cerrone on Saturday. He has set his sights on three bouts this year as he declares that his UFC 246 return fight is the start of his "2020 season".
The Irishman is eyeing super-fights, rematches and UFC gold. From Jorge Masvidal to Khabib Nurmagomedov. And ahead of McGregor returning to the famed Octagon, SPORTbible have listed the six biggest opponents he could face in 2020.
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6 - Dustin Poirier
Weight - lightweight
McGregor and Poirier last met in the UFC in September 2014, where McGregor stopped Poirier in his breakthrough performance.
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McGregor wasted little time to put him away, but 'The Diamond' has since rejuvenated his career at lightweight by picking off wins against the likes of Eddie Alvarez and Max Holloway.
The veteran American wants to run it back and while he fell short against Nurmagomedov, a rematch would certainly be of interest following his remarkable form.
5 - Justin Gaethje
Weight - lightweight
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Who wouldn't want to see the human-wrecking machine take on McGregor?!
Gaethje's ultra-violent ways versus McGregor's precision and power would make for an absolute barnburner. A potential slug fest for the ages. The fact that they don't like each other only adds to the allure of the contest.
Gaethje keeps calling for a showdown with McGregor who vowed to take care of him.
4 - Kamaru Usman
Weight - welterweight
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The ex-'champ-champ' is eyeing another piece of UFC history as he harbours ambitions of becoming the promotion's very first three-weight world champion.
Standing in his way is Kamaru Usman whose warned McGregor about challenging him for his title.
3 - Nate Diaz
Weight - welterweight
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A trilogy bout with Diaz would sell regardless of win streak, form or momentum. The two fighters are 1-1 in their two epic meetings, with Diaz submitting McGregor at UFC 196 while 'The Notorious' exacted revenge by eking out a razor-thin decision at UFC 202.
McGregor has previously said that he "owes" Diaz the trilogy bout and it will happen.
In the fight game, there's a reason trilogy fights are made - to settle the score once and for all and 2020 could be the year McGregor and Diaz complete what would become one of the greatest trilogy fights in UFC history.
2 - Jorge Masvidal
Weight - welterweight
McGregor has made no secrets of his desire to face BMF champion Jorge Masvidal whose emerged as one of the biggest stars in the sport following his scintillating 2019, which saw him collect three massive stoppage wins over Darren Till, Ben Askren and Nate Diaz.
Masvidal, 35, is eyeing super-fights and publicly declared his preference to face McGregor over a shot at Usman.
It's the biggest option for McGregor at welterweight. While Masvidal isn't the 170lbs champion, he's become a genuine superstar and a meeting with McGregor would be astronomical.
1 - Khabib Nurmagomedov
Weight - lightweight
A rematch with Nurmagomedov has the potential to smash UFC records. Their UFC 229 meeting is the highest-grossing pay-per-view in the company's history and a second meeting would be even bigger.
McGregor has unfinished business with Nurmagomedov, and their feud peaked following the post-fight brawl in October 2018.
A rematch is inevitable and would be huge. Their rivalry would make for the most intense narrative in UFC history, meaning blockbuster PPV numbers.
McGregor's hellbent on running it back and wants it in Moscow and while Nurmagomedov has distanced himself from a rematch, the sheer amount of money on the table would be too hard to turn down not to mention the chance to silence him for good.
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