Conor McGregor has headlined seven of the best-selling pay-per-view events in UFC history, making him without question the organization’s top fighter attraction. The former double champion hasn’t competed since fracturing his leg at UFC 264 about 18 months ago, but he plans to make a comeback in 2023. Here are Conor McGregor’s top five potential challengers for 2023. Follow UFC News updates with InsideSport.IN
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I am clear for testing in February. I will complete my two tests per USADA and we are booking a fight.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 24, 2022
UFC News: Five possible opponents of Conor McGregor in 2023
- Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler
Since making his debut as a professional fighter at UFC 257, Michael Chandler has been pursuing a matchup with Conor McGregor. Since losing to Dustin Poirier at UFC 281, which further distanced him from a subsequent shot at the lightweight title, his desire for a high-profile bout has only grown. Chandler makes a lot of sense for McGregor’s comeback fight, even though he will probably have several options for opponents. The No. 5 lightweight has proven that he is more than willing to stand and bang despite having a wrestling background, which suits McGregor’s style.
McGregor, who is not presently ranked, would have the chance to move up to the top five in the lightweight division if he won the fight. Due to his enormous popularity, a victory and the following ranking would almost guarantee him a chance at the crown.
- Conor McGregor vs Jorge Masvidal
Conor McGregor has already hinted that he will move up to the welterweight class, but it’s not sure if he will do so. Jorge Masvidal, however, is the ideal opponent for the weight class if he does. A matchup with the No. 11-ranked welterweight would undoubtedly rank among the UFC’s most popular pay-per-view events. The possible fight might have a remote possibility of breaking the record of 2.4 million pay-per-view purchases set at UFC 229 for pay-per-view purchases.
But more significantly, McGregor should concentrate on confronting a striker when he enters the octagon. Masvidal is unlikely to take the fight to the ground, whereas most welterweights would, which would allow McGregor to win and advance to the rankings. Masvidal would not be considered an easy opponent, unlike Conor McGregor’s most recent opponent, Donald Cerrone. Even though he has dropped in the standings due to three straight defeats, they were against two of the finest competitors in the category.
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- Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier IV
A tetralogy fight between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier would be a considerably greater draw. A month ago, this battle appeared implausible, but recently, the two combatants engaged in a Twitter conversation where they both hinted to a potential fourth encounter.
The rivalry between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier reignited on social media.
Do you want to see Part 4? 👀 pic.twitter.com/pTNDL7aaEA
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 5, 2022
Poirier was knocked out in the first round by McGregor at UFC 178, but the No. 2 lightweight got even at UFC 257 with a second-round TKO victory. In the highly anticipated third fight in their trilogy at UFC 264, Poirier prevailed through first-round TKO after McGregor’s broken leg forced the referee to end the contest. When Poirier makes his comeback, McGregor will have the chance to settle the score and put himself back in the title picture.
- Conor McGregor vs charles oliveira
During his outstanding but brief reign as the UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira made it crystal clear that he wanted to take on Conor McGregor. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt believed he deserved to face “The Notorious” in a pay-per-view match. Even yet, the Irishman appeared amenable to a confrontation with “do Bronx.”
When he eventually made a full recovery from his injury, the Chute Box star offered him a title match automatically. Prior to the Irishman’s return, Charles Oliveira ultimately lost the 155-pound belt, but a fight is still conceivable.
Just 👀 that Conor McGregor had a Brazil mouthguard in for his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier.
No doubt he was gonna cut a promo and call out the cageside Charles Oliveira had he got the better of Dustin. pic.twitter.com/lsFZdV7566
— Chisanga Malata (@Chisanga_Malata) August 6, 2021
- Conor McGregor vs Tony Ferguson
Conor McGregor’s return opponent might be Tony Ferguson, the former interim lightweight champion of the UFC, who spent a lot of time pursuing him in the past. Ferguson is infamous for repeatedly calling out the Irishman throughout his reign at the top of the 155-pound division from 2016 to 2018. He never succeeded in pinning him down to a fight, though. Could 2023 thus be the ideal year to make that change?
Ferguson is currently on a five-fight losing streak, and in all but two of those fights, he has been knocked out. In fact, because of this run, he has fallen out of the UFC’s lightweight rankings for the first time in more than seven years. Even though “El Cucuy” isn’t the same fighter he once was, the UFC could quickly sell a matchup between him and McGregor based on their past encounters.
In essence, this bout might be ‘The Notorious’ ideal chance to return to winning ways if the UFC wants it.
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