Source: Wikipedia | Andrius Petrucenia
The world was waiting with bated breath this time last month as Conor McGregor was getting set to return to the Octagon against Donald Cowboy Cerrone. As soon as this fight was announced it was all that my buddy Alexander Sabadash and I could think talk about, questioning how good McGregor still was and whether or not Cowboy would be victorious. Alexander and I watched the ring walks, prepared ourselves for a mighty clash, opened a bag of chips and before we could even take the first bite, Conor dropped Cowboy within 40 seconds and it was all over.
It is fair to say that Big Mac is back, but what is next for the Irishman?
Khabib or Tony Ferguson
Conor is desperate for revenge on Khabib and he has openly spoken about the importance of getting through the Cowboy fight unscathed so that he can be ready for whatever happens in April. Currently, Khabib is due to fight number one challenger Tony Ferguson, but this will be the 6th time they have tried to make this fight, with one or the other pulling out each time. McGregor is anticipating another dropout and a matchup with the man who is left.
Masvidal and the BMF
Conor wants to really cement his legacy and he knows only too well that fight against hot fighter Jorge Masvidal is one way to help do just that. When Masvidal and Diaz fought back in December, the UFC created the BMF belt as a novelty idea, which of course Masvidal then went on to win. Dana White says that the whole thing was just a one-time thing, but Conor most certainly has that belt and the title that goes with it in his mind. If he can’t get Khabib or Tony, Jorge will be up next.
Nate Trilogy
McGregor has only lost twice in the UFC and that important first loss was against Nate Diaz in an epic bloodbath of a fight. The two met again and Conor got revenge, but at 1-1 this is a fight that people want to see finished. Diaz is an outstanding value in terms of PPV numbers and if he and Conor are able to agree to a 3rd fight, those figures may very well be record-breaking!
Squared Circle
Conor claims that he wants to fight 3 times in 2020, and with one already under his belt that most certainly looks as though it will be happening. Something which McGregor has not stated however is where exactly those fights will take place, and we just know that he is itching to become a part of Dana White’s entrance into boxing. Whether or not that will simply be McGregor’s company getting involved in promotions or a return to the squared circle for Conor remains to be seen. He has touted a return to boxing and stated his desire to be a world champion, and he has never let us down yet when it comes to delivering on his goals.
Where do you see McGregor next?