What will be the future of McGregor? (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFCBrasil)
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With the much-awaited boxing superfight between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather in the books, the question remains: what will be the Irishman's future? Retirement? Boxing career? Return to UFC? There are many options, but there is still no path mapped out and confirmed.
In this way, the SUPER FIGHTS prepared a special to unravel the possible destinations that McGregor could follow. Check out:
1 – Defend the UFC lightweight belt
McGregor is the current lightweight champion (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook ConorMcGregor)
UFC lightweight champion since November 2016, when he knocked out Eddie Alvarez, McGregor hasn't stepped into the Octagon since. The duel, in fact, was the only one held under 70kg in the organization. With the Irishman absent, the organization tried to put an interim belt on the line: Tony Ferguson e Kevin Lee face each other at UFC 216, in October.
The winner, in theory, qualifies to be Conor's next challenge. If the European doesn't think about returning to the lightweight division, the tendency is for Ferguson or Lee to become permanent champions.
2 – Fight for the UFC welterweight title
Conor became UFC featherweight and lightweight champion (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC)
If the scenario discussed above comes to fruition, it is possible that McGregor will be selected for another title fight in Ultimate, but in the welterweight category (up to 77kg). The current number is Tyron woodley, who is injured and still has no plans to return.
Another point that could favor Conor is the fact that the division currently has no legitimate challenger. This way, McGregor, who has already exchanged provocations with Woodley, can be presented again by the organization. It would also be the chance to win a third title in three different weights in MMA, something unprecedented for the company.
3 – Trilogy with Nate Diaz
McGregor and Diaz faced each other twice (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC)
McGregor's biggest rival in the UFC goes by the name of Nate diaz. Responsible for breaking the Irishman's 15-fight unbeaten run by submitting him in March 2016, the American bad boy also fought a second battle with Notório, who 'cleared the defeat' with a victory by majority decision of the judges, five months after.
However, anyone who thinks the rivalry is over is mistaken. A trilogy between the two has already been speculated, especially after Conor said, in the press conference after the duel against Floyd, that he still wants to face Diaz once again. “There’s the trilogy with the Nate diaz, which is an option…Anyway, I’m going to enjoy my gains now and see my next step soon”, said the fighter.
4 – Pursue a career in boxing
Conor may continue boxing (Photo: Reproduction/Twitter UFCBrasil)
There is a lot of talk that McGregor's migration to boxing was only for the duel against Mayweather, in which the two earned astronomical salaries. However, there are those who believe that the fighter can return to performing in the gentle art, continuing the career he started last Saturday (26).
During the preparation for his last fight, Conor collected enemies. The most emblematic case is that of Paulie Malignaggi, who helped him during part of the camp. The former world boxing champion became angry and left the team after images were leaked in which he appeared being knocked down by McGregor. After much provocation, Malignaggi challenged his new rival to a professional fight.
“It’s like I said, I’ve been boxing my whole life. They think that oh, I'm not at the boxing level, but that's a strange mentality. It's a fight between two very talented fighters. One loses, the other wins and the world moves on. I love the sport of boxing. Boxing has always had a firm place in my heart throughout my life. I'm going to continue boxing from now on, and I'm going to continue fighting mixed martial arts. I will dominate them both with an iron fist. That's my mindset. The future looks bright”, declared Conor, during the preparation for the duel with Floyd.
5 – Retire
Retirement is one of the options (Photo: Reproduction/Instagram ConorMcGregor)
Another viable option is even McGregor's retirement. With more than R$300 million received from the duel against Mayweather alone, the Irishman has already made his nest egg. In other words, money is no longer a problem, which could end up being a demotivating factor for the fighter. It should be taken into account that his first child was born a few months ago, and Notório has already expressed his desire to spend more time with his family.
Dana White, president of the UFC, had already raised the possibility of Conor never returning to fight professionally. “If Conor makes $75 million, how will he go back to fighting for seven, eight or ten million dollars? He understands the scenario, he is very intelligent. But he may never fight again. In the fighting world, you need to be hungry. It's difficult for you to accept being punched in the face when you have US$75 million in the bank”, declared the director, before the duel against Floyd was made official.
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