Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return to the Octagon didn’t go as planned. After years of anticipation, the former two-division UFC champion saw his comeback end in disappointment against Max Holloway, reigniting questions about whether he’ll ever return to championship form.
The aftermath of that fight has been filled with controversy, with fans and media debating whether McGregor entered the fight carrying an undisclosed injury after seemingly blowing out his knee within seconds.
Conor McGregor is just 1-4 in his last five UFC matches dating back to 2018...
Now, attention has quickly shifted to what comes next. Is another comeback realistic, or has the window finally closed on one of MMA’s most recognizable names? With six years having passed since his last victory, the Conor McGregor next fight market has already become a focal point in UFC odds as bettors speculate on whether the Irish superstar has one more run left.
One of the most likely possibilities in the Conor McGregor next fight market is a trilogy bout with Max Holloway. Moments after his victory, Holloway wasted no time calling for a third meeting, saying he wanted to settle the rivalry after their highly anticipated rematch at UFC 329 failed to deliver the competitive battle many expected.
With McGregor’s performance raising questions about whether he entered the cage less than 100 percent, the result left plenty of unfinished business. A third fight would give both men the opportunity to answer those lingering questions while capitalizing on one of the UFC’s biggest rivalries. If McGregor decides to continue his career, a Holloway trilogy could be the promotion’s most logical blockbuster, especially given the enormous fan interest it would generate.
Holloway will likely fight before McGregor’s potential return. He could use an actual victory after losing to Charles Oliveira at UFC 326.
A fight with Michael Chandler remains one of the easiest matchups for the UFC to make. The pair were originally scheduled to headline UFC 303 before McGregor withdrew because of injury, and the bad blood built through their time coaching The Ultimate Fighter has never been settled inside the Octagon.
While Chandler has had mixed results in recent years, he remains an action fighter whose aggressive style almost guarantees an entertaining contest. If the UFC wants to give McGregor a winnable but still marketable opponent, revisiting this matchup makes plenty of sense. Even after the Holloway loss, fans would likely tune in to finally see a fight that has been years in the making.
If the UFC is looking to build a new superstar while still leaning on McGregor’s drawing power, Paddy Pimblett could be the ideal opponent in the McGregor next fight market. The outspoken lightweight has become one of the promotion’s fastest-rising attractions, and a matchup with McGregor would generate weeks of headlines thanks to their personalities alone.
From a competitive standpoint, it would also answer important questions about where McGregor stands against the division’s younger generation. If McGregor wins, he immediately puts himself back into meaningful conversations at lightweight. If Pimblett comes out on top, the UFC has another marquee name ready to carry the torch. Either way, it’s a fight with significant promotional upside.
Whether there’s ever another Conor McGregor next fight remains one of the biggest questions in MMA. His comeback has already been delayed repeatedly, first by the devastating broken leg he suffered against Dustin Poirier in 2021, an injury that required well over a year of rehabilitation before he was able to return to full training. Now, following the loss to Max Holloway, speculation has centered on another serious setback, with reports suggesting a possible MCL or ACL injury.
Depending on the severity, those injuries can require anywhere from six months to well over a year before a fighter is ready to compete again. Beyond the physical hurdles, motivation has become a major talking point. McGregor has earned hundreds of millions through ventures outside the UFC, including his blockbuster boxing match with Floyd Mayweather, leaving many to wonder whether the drive to endure another grueling training camp still exists.
That said, McGregor has publicly insisted he isn’t finished, posting on social media that he intends to return and was tentatively scheduled for an April 2027 fight in his UFC contract. If his recovery goes as planned, another walk to the Octagon remains possible, but it’s far from guaranteed considering all the hurdles.
If a Conor McGregor next fight never materializes in the UFC, celebrity boxing could become the most realistic alternative. McGregor is still under UFC contract for one more bout, which would likely complicate any crossover event, but blockbuster exhibitions have become increasingly common.
Jake Paul and Logan Paul have largely cornered the celebrity boxing market, making either brother a natural opponent if contractual hurdles could be cleared. Another lucrative rematch with Floyd Mayweather would also generate worldwide attention, even years after their record-breaking 2017 clash.
And while it’s a long shot, a spectacle against Mike Tyson can’t be completely ruled out. Combat sports have produced plenty of unlikely matchups in recent years, and McGregor’s star power means promoters would almost certainly explore every option if his UFC career ultimately comes to an end.
Another intriguing possibility if a Conor McGregor next fight never happens is a move to WWE. With both WWE and the UFC operating under TKO Group Holdings, the crossover is more plausible than it might have seemed a few years ago. McGregor’s charisma, confidence, and ability to command attention would make him a natural fit for sports entertainment, and he could even appear on WWE programming while recovering from injury without needing to compete immediately.
There is already plenty of precedent for crossover stars. Ronda Rousey successfully transitioned from UFC champion to WWE champion, Brock Lesnar became a major attraction in both promotions, and CM Punk has competed in the UFC before returning to WWE. Even if McGregor’s fighting days are behind him, his larger-than-life personality could make him one of WWE’s biggest attractions.
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Conor McGregor’s next fight does not have an official date, but he has indicated that he plans to return to competition. A potential comeback has reportedly been targeted for April 2027, although his recovery timeline and UFC contract situation could impact those plans. Fans will be watching closely for confirmation.
Several opponents could make sense for Conor McGregor’s return, including a trilogy fight with Max Holloway, a long-awaited matchup with Michael Chandler, or a major event against another lightweight star. The UFC would likely prioritize a high-profile opponent who can generate significant pay-per-view interest. McGregor’s name still guarantees attention.
It remains unclear whether Conor McGregor will compete inside the Octagon again. Injuries, long layoffs, and questions about his motivation have created uncertainty around his future, especially after years away from winning fights. However, McGregor has repeatedly stated that he intends to return and has not officially retired.
If McGregor does not return to the UFC, options like celebrity boxing or WWE could become possibilities. His UFC contract reportedly includes one more fight, which may limit immediate crossover opportunities. Still, his global popularity and entertainment value make him attractive for major events beyond traditional MMA.
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