On Saturday, January 23rd, Conor McGregor returned to the octagon for the first time in a year. He entered the fight as a large betting favorite over Dustin Poirier in a rematch from their 2014 encounter that McGregor won via 1st round knockout.
The first round of the rematch this past weekend saw McGregor win the opening frame as he landed more devastating punches than Poirier. Yet, Poirier’s leg kicks took a toll on McGregor and it opened up Conor for pressure as it took away his ability to push forward.
Halfway through the 2nd round, Poirier shook up the MMA world when he unleashed a barrage of strikes that eventually put McGregor down for the TKO. Poirier was nearly a three to one underdog and ended up handing “Notorious” his first TKO/KO defeat.
This was not the outcome that the UFC, McGregor, the fans and the online betting sites thought would happen. McGregor was a consensus choice to beat Poirier.
Now, McGregor is left with picking up the pieces and figuring out what to do next. A somber McGregor made the following comments:
“It’s hard to take. It’s the highest highs and the lowest lows in this game. I don’t know where I’m at, at the minute, to be honest. I have no excuse. It was a phenomenal performance from Dustin. It’s a bitter pill to swallow.”
He would also go on to thank everyone for their support and hype up the possibility of a trilogy fight with Poirier.
With that said, there are many speculations as to what McGregor will do next. Will he fight again in the UFC or will he step into the boxing ring against someone like Manny Pacquiao?
Let’s examine the possibilities of McGregor’s next opponent and the corresponding betting odds.
Conor McGregor wants the trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier, his coach John Kavanagh told @arielhelwani. pic.twitter.com/KZ6rLH6ukD
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) January 25, 2021
Odds on McGregor’s Next UFC Opponent
The following odds are courtesy of BetOnline:
- Nate Diaz (+200)
- Dustin Poirier (+300)
- Justin Gaethje (+400)
- Tony Ferguson (+600)
- Jorge Masvidal (+800)
- Michael Chandler (+1000)
- Charles Oliviera (+1200)
Nate Diaz (+200)
2016 was a banner year for the UFC and that was largely due to the two fights between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor. These two combatants split those fights in thrilling fashion. Since then, fans and pundits have been clamoring for a trilogy bout.
Both Diaz and McGregor have shot down a trilogy fight over the last few years. However, that could change considering they’re both coming off losses in big time fights.
Nearly two weeks ago, Dana White publicly stated that Nate Diaz was moving down to lightweight for his next fight:
“We’re working on a Nate Diaz fight right now, and it’s not Tony [Ferguson]. But if we get it done, I think you’re going to like it. [At] lightweight … Let’s see if we can get this fight done, but it would put him in a really good position if he won the fight and the guy who he could potentially be fighting, I think it’s a great fight for him too.”
If Diaz is going to stay in the lightweight division, there are plenty of big time fights that he could take including Dustin Poirier. Diaz could also be thrown right into the title picture as well. Or, the UFC could pair him up with McGregor one last time.
Dustin Poirier (+300)
Each man has knocked out the other in impressive fashion. However, I don’t see a trilogy fight happening next.
This possibility will probably be a few fights from now as McGregor has to prove he’s not done inside the octagon.
Furthermore, Poirier should be in the hunt for a title shot or handed the interim title again. His next bout has to be for the lightweight championship and nothing else.
Justin Gaethje (+400)
Justin Gaethje tore it up in 2020 after destroying Tony Ferguson and then getting a title shot against Khabib Nurmagomedov. Gaethje came up short in this title fight via 2nd round submission. Following the bout, Nurmagomedov said he was retiring.
Gaethje hasn’t fought since then. Additionally, it’s a bit confusing as to what the UFC is going to do with Justin next.
From the dude that only talks about it. https://t.co/9Ak7snW7pn
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) January 24, 2021
I can say, I don’t see them putting Gaethje in with McGregor for Conor’s next fight. I think Gaethje should either rematch Poirier or take on someone like Chandler. These would be exciting matchups that could clear up the lightweight title picture.
McGregor vs Gaethje wouldn’t clear up the title picture, it would just muddy the waters further.
Tony Ferguson (+600)
Ferguson and McGregor’s stocks have never been lower than they are now. Inevitably, people are calling for a fight between the two since they’re still big names and one step below the top of the division.
However, I don’t see the UFC risking another loss for either fighter. If either man loses, their value goes in the tank. In Ferguson’s case, it would be a third straight loss and a potential cut since UFC has been letting go talent.
This is too risky of a bout with not enough reward. There are better ways to get McGregor back on track than at the expense of Ferguson.
Jorge Masvidal (+800)
This would be a fun matchup and could possibly be done at welterweight or even a catchweight if all parties involved agreed. With that said, Masvidal could be hunting for a rematch against Usman or Diaz.
There’s also the possibility of a big time fight against Colby Covington. Then you also still have the bad blood between Masvidal and Leon Edwards.
It appears that there are more opportunities for Masvidal in the welterweight division than to turn his attention towards McGregor.
Michael Chandler (+1000)
The former three time Bellator champion came into the UFC and lit it on fire with his crushing 1st round KO of the 6th ranked lightweight Dan Hooker.
After his win, Chandler called out Poirier, McGregor and Nurmagomedov. However, Poirier has since shot down a fight against Chandler and prefers to take on someone else who’s been in the UFC longer.
MICHAEL CHANDLER’S UFC DEBUT WAS PICTURE PERFECT 😳 #UFC257 pic.twitter.com/hODV9GB94r
— ESPN (@espn) January 24, 2021
It makes no sense to run Chandler versus McGregor right now considering Chandler is closer to a title shot than McGregor is.
Additionally, I don’t see Nurmagomedov coming out of retirement to fight Chandler unless he wiped out the Top 5 of the division and won the title.
Charles Oliviera (+1200)
Charles Oliviera deserves a title opportunity or at least the right to compete for the #1 contender’s spot. I don’t see a reason to put him in with McGregor next when he should be fighting for the gold instead.
Oliveira should either fight Poirier for the title or compete in a #1 contender’s bout against Gaethje or Chandler next.
If he were to lose his next fight, and McGregor wins his next one, then I would consider putting them in a bout later this year. As for now, it’s just not the right time.
Who Will McGregor Fight Next in the UFC?
There’s an argument to be made for several of the options above. However, I am going to choose someone who’s not on this list. I think the UFC will be smart to put McGregor in a fight with someone he should beat like Rafael dos Anjos.
These two were supposed to fight in 2016. RDA moved back down to lightweight last year and beat Paul Felder in a very competitive bout via decision. So, he appears to still be a Top 10 fighter in the division.
With the loss, McGregor should be on the outside of the Top 5, which would make sense for a bout against RDA even if fans don’t get super excited about it.
McGregor needs to get his mojo back and that starts with a clear victory over someone like RDA who he’s had public spats with.
As for this prop bet, I wouldn’t take any of these options right now.
Who Will McGregor Fight Next in the UFC? –No One
Will McGregor Face Pacquiao Instead of a UFC Fight?
For well over a year, there have been talks of Conor McGregor taking on Manny Pacquiao in a boxing match.
McGregor said in the UFC 257 post-fight press conference that the bout with Pacquiao was a done deal prior to his loss to Poirier, but now he doesn’t know anymore:
“There’s none of them leg kicks in boxing. I always did want to focus on my MMA career, but I’m also open you know what I mean? I’ll just see what happens… I don’t know what will happen. That Manny [Pacquiao] fight was happening, you know what I mean? It was as good as done. I just want to get in and get back into a bounce, especially against that style of fighter and not take those kicks. Don’t play with those kicks. It’s just a motherf—ker to take. ”
Pacquiao took to Twitter to congratulate Dustin Poirier without really throwing shade at McGregor, although many other of Conor’s critics have done so like Mayweather and Nurmagomedov.
With that said, I just don’t see a Pacquiao vs McGregor fight happening now. Conor lost that opportunity when he lost the fight to Poirier. The interest and hype have died and Pacquiao will most likely go on to face other boxers like Ryan Garcia which has been rumored for the last month.
There’s a better chance of Mayweather vs Pacquiao than McGregor vs Pacman.
Pacquiao was a large favorite over McGregor with odds hovering -1000. Now, I would expect those odds to double if any boxing betting site will list it.
Rick Rockwell
As a longtime freelance writer, avid sports fan, former athlete, and experienced sports bettor, Rick Rockwell has risen up the ranks at GamblingSites.org to become the self-professed “King of the Blog” in his first year with the site. …
