Conor McGregor is planning his return to the UFC with potential marquee matchups against Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier, and Nate Diaz, despite having withdrawn from a previous fight due to injury.
Conor McGregor has some high-profile matchups in mind for his return. Earlier this year, he was set to make a comeback at UFC 303 against Michael Chandler. But alas, a toe injury sidelined him, leaving fans once again pondering his return.
McGregor, however, remains undeterred. Since withdrawing from UFC 303, the former two-division champ insists he’ll be back soon. On Tuesday, he chatted with The Schmo about his progress.
"We’re looking for the date," McGregor revealed. "I’d like to square it away with Michael Chandler. Our beef isn’t settled." Chandler has other plans now, though. After waiting nearly two years for McGregor, he’s booked a rematch with Charles Oliveira at UFC 309.
With UFC CEO Dana White eyeing an early 2025 return for McGregor, Chandler’s availability is uncertain. Yet, McGregor’s got his sights on two other big names: Dustin Poirier and Nate Diaz.
"Both of them. Both," McGregor declared. "The Dustin one is not settled; it’s 1-1-1. And the Diaz one is also 1-1." Exciting stuff! These are blockbuster matches he’s eager to lock in.
Over seven years, Poirier and McGregor have faced off three times. McGregor first knocked out Poirier at UFC 178. But Poirier returned the favor at UFC 257 and won their third bout at UFC 264 when McGregor broke his leg—though McGregor disputes that result due to the injury.
As for Diaz? Possibly McGregor’s biggest rival. Diaz stunned the world by defeating McGregor at UFC 196 on just ten days’ notice. They clashed again at UFC 202, where McGregor edged out a majority decision win in a thrilling fight. Diaz left the UFC in 2022 for boxing but rumors hint at a potential return.