Conor McGregor launches scathing rant at UFC champion he thinks is 'most abysmal in history'

Conor McGregor may be setting the stage for a sensational comeback. Despite being out of action for over three years, the Irish fighter seems eager to return to the octagon.

Since his devastating leg injury during his fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, McGregor has been vocal about his desire to return. His scheduled bout with Michael Chandler was cancelled due to injury, and a new match is yet to be confirmed.

However, his recent social media tirade could be the catalyst for his return as he delivered a harsh critique of UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad. Given McGregor's hiatus and subsequent weight gain, a return to lightweight seems unlikely, especially since his cancelled fight with Chandler was set to be at welterweight.

Over the weekend, he hinted that he might face Dan Hooker in Saudi Arabia, but didn't mention the weight class. The 36 year old seems determined to make a comeback and aim for the 'triple crown' by becoming the welterweight champion.

He stoked the flames by targeting Muhammad in a now-deleted tweet. "I'd love to crush my left hook into Belal's temple and take down the triple crown," McGregor wrote in the deleted post. "I'd do it easily. And fast! I'd cave his skull heavy! ".

"The obstacles I face returning to the Octagon are simply daunting. I am deeply saddened by the cancellation of my June 29th fight. The thought that this nobody (Muhammad) is now a UFC champion with absolutely no knockdowns on his record is just terrible. He's the UFC's most dismal zero revenue generating fighter in modern history."

Despite his impressive 28-fight professional MMA record, with 24 victories, only five have been knockouts and 18 were won by decision. During his UFC career, he has only two TKO victories. McGregor isn't alone in his criticism of Muhammad this week. Ilia Topuria also expressed his disappointment with the welterweight champ.

The Georgian-Spaniard criticized his fighting style and record, as well as launching a highly personal attack. "NO FINISHES, NO KNOCKOUTS, NO KNOCKDOWNS, NO GIRLFRIEND, NO KIDS, BELAL HAS NEVER FINISHED ANY MAN OR WOMAN", Topuria posted on social media, sharing a clip of Muhammad unable to continue in his original fight with Edwards, which resulted in a non-contest due to an eye poke by the Brit.

Muhammad is set to make his first title defense at UFC 310 against undefeated star Shavkat Rakhmonov. In preparation for his fight and victory over Edwards, Muhammad has been training with Khabib Nurmagomedov and his team.

The rivalry between Khabib and McGregor could add another layer to the potential bout if he continues to train with the undefeated former lightweight champion.