Five UFC fighters Conor McGregor needs to face before he retires

Conor McGregor is arguably the biggest star in the UFC and one of the company’s more marketable stars.

Though he hasn’t fought in nearly three years, McGregor was close to making his UFC return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 on June 29 before having to withdraw due to a broken toe.

UFC president Dana White has said he wants McGregor to heal and be 100 percent before he talks about booking him in another fight, but when he does return, there won’t be a shortage of challengers waiting for him.

Here are five fighters fans would like to see McGregor battle before he hangs up the gloves.

1. Michael Chandler

The UFC had been building up and promoting the Chandler-McGregor fight for well over a year, and to have it get canceled last minute due to an injury and not get rebooked would be a grave injustice to its fans.

McGregor is one of the pound-for-pound best power strikers in the UFC, and Chandler is one of the few fighters in the lightweight or welterweight divisions that can actually match him blow-for-blow. He’s also one of a handful of guys who actually present a matchup problem for the Irishman, who struggles against opponents well-versed in grappling and is a decorated wrestler.

2. Justin Gaethje

Gaethje has never been in a boring fight in his life. He’s won 11 post-fight bonuses in his 13 UFC fights, and only two of them have gone to a decision. He can stand and brawl, he can take the fight to the mat, and he’s got the kind of knockout power that would make McGregor think twice about not taking this fight seriously.

Many believe Gaethje is the most entertaining fighter in the UFC for his recklessness and willingness to stand and trade blows, and a fight against McGregor who’s one of the craftiest strikers in the company would likely do crazy numbers in terms of pay-per-view buys.

3. Islam Makhachev

Former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has always felt like McGregor’s white whale — the one who got away. The two fought back in October 2018 at UFC 229 — a bout Nurmagomedov won via fourth-round submission — and he retired just two years later before McGregor could get a rematch.

So what better way for him to get some form of cathartic revenge than by fighting Makhachev, Nurmagomedov’s protégé and pupil at the American Kickboxing Academy? Makhachev is similar to Nurmagomedov in many ways — he’s got underrated striking and a smothering top game that makes it nearly impossible for opponents to get back up once he takes them down. Because he’s essentially Nurmagomedov 2.0, a tussle with Makhachev could be McGregor’s shot at redemption.

4. Alexander Volkanovski

Volkanovski has said he’d fight anyone, anywhere at any time. Many feel he was robbed in his first fight against Makhachev in February 2023 — one that many fans and media pundits believe he should’ve won by decision — and after losing his featherweight championship to Ilia Topuria in February, perhaps a welcome-back fight against McGregor is what he needs to get back on track.

Volkanovski has a well-rounded skillset and the drive to push McGregor to his limits. He’s also a big name who’s considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the company, which would make for one heck of a marketable fight, the kind that would certainly pique McGregor’s interest.

5. Sean O’Malley

This one would promote itself. Some have even accused O’Malley of copying McGregor because of their chest tattoos, which bear a striking resemblance, and the two even took some shots at each other via social media not that long ago. So, why not let them settle their differences inside the Octagon?

O’Malley is an ascending star who’s won 10 of his 12 fights in the UFC and is the reigning bantamweight champion. He’s got some of the best striking in his division, and he would make a perfect opponent to stand and trade with McGregor. This fight would make an interesting stylistic matchup and McGregor wouldn’t have to worry about the threat of a takedown.