Conor McGregor next fight: Five opponents assessed including Khabib, Diaz and Gaethje as talks begin with Dana White
CONOR McGREGOR'S future is set to be decided in the next few days - and the Irish superstar has a host of potential next opponents.
UFC president Dana White will hold a matchmaking meeting today, with McGregor's next move sure to be discussed.
The Notorious faces being frozen out of the lightweight title picture, with unbeaten Khabib Nurmagomedov set to unify his title against interim champion Justin Gaethje in September.
If the fight - which McGregor already predicted will not happen - goes ahead, the 31-year-old Irishman will have to go down another route before he can challenge the winner.
With several names at both lightweight and welterweight, he is not short of options for his anticipated UFC return, as SunSport assess what could be next for The Notorious.
NATE DIAZ
If ever the time was right for McGregor to finally settle the score with old foe Diaz, it's now.
With the pair tied at one apiece as well as Nurmagomedov and the lightweight belt otherwise occupied, this is the perfect opportunity for the trilogy bout.
Their history and bad blood makes for a mega-money fight, while also giving McGregor the chance to earn put himself at the centre of another blockbuster event, opposed to another normal ranked challenger.
Diaz lost his last fight against Jorge Masvidal via a cut, and White already said a rematch was not on the cards.
Meaning the most profitable and favourable move for the 35-year-old American would be a rubber match with McGregor.
The pair have recently traded words online, with their rivalry fresh in the minds of fans.
JORGE MASVIDAL
Another super-fight available for McGregor is Masvidal - who won the 'Baddest Mother F***er' belt against Diaz last November.
It appeared both stars were on course to clash after McGregor won his UFC return at welterweight against Donald Cerrone, but then White named Masvidal as next in line for Kamaru Usman's 170lb title.
But as that fight fell through due to the coronavirus pandemic, and with The Notorious facing a lengthy wait for his own crack at a lightweight belt, it paves the way for the two to meet in a massive PPV fight.
Masvidal has made it clear he wants to face McGregor, who stands to earn more money should he stay at welterweight, and White recently confirmed his interest in the fight should the duo agree terms.
A win for McGregor over Masvidal puts him right into contention for the welterweight title as well as perfectly setting him up for a shot at the lightweight belt.
And even as loss may not affect McGregor's pursuit of a rematch against Nurmagomedov, only needing to move back down to 155lb to keep the fight alive.
JUSTIN GAETHJE
Despite promoter White revealing Gaethje will challenge champion Khabib, McGregor is adamant the Russian will "bottle" out of the defence, opening the door for him to fight for the title instead.
Should the 31-year-old be unable to face Gaethje, 33, The Notorious is no doubt the UFC's back up choice to instead fight for the gold.
Gaethje was in talks to meet McGregor this summer, until he filled in on late notice to beat Ferguson at UFC 249.
The American had sent several online barbs to McGregor - which the Irish southpaw later responded to in an irate tweet, threatening to "butcher" his rival.
Following the feud between the pair, the UFC have a blockbuster grudge match at their disposal.
And Gaethje's aggressive but improved fighting style is the perfect clash against McGregor's counter-punching expertise.
KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV
It's clear UFC boss White wants McGregor to rematch with nemesis Nurmagomedov - predicting it will break their box office record.
But Khabib seems unwilling to face the Irish star until he earns his way back to a title shot.
Unfortunately for the Dagestani hero, money talks, and McGregor brings in the richest revenue for the UFC.
Meaning should Gaethje be unable to challenge Nurmagomedov in September, and The Notorious is willing to step right into a rematch, the anticipated second fight is sure to happen.
McGregor is adamant he will get his crack at redemption, and has been told by White he is just one win away from doing so.
But the rematch is unlikely to take place until fans are allowed to attend events again, with the UFC due to lose a substantial amount of revenue without ticket sales.
UFC news
DUSTIN POIRIER
Should McGregor need a win against another lightweight challenger before fighting for the belt, Poirier acts as the perfect opponent.
McGregor took out Poirier in just a round of their 2014 clash at featherweight, but the pair have recently traded words online fuelling speculation of a rematch.
Since the American moved up to lightweight, he has won nine of his last 12 fights and despite capturing the interim title he was beaten by champ Khabib.
Poirier is currently the No3-ranked lightweight with McGregor a place below him.
Meaning a win for the Irishman rightfully earns him a spot next to interim champion Gaethje and lightweight king Khabib, making him the No1 contender.
