“The Notorious” Connor McGregor has finally confirmed that he will return to the Octagon in early 2023. The Irishman will be making his first appearance in almost two years. The last time McGregor fought, he fractured his lower tibia and fibula. This was responsible for his year-long absence. It occurred in the third trilogy fight between him and Dustin Poirier. Here we will look at McGregor’s potential opponent for his in-ring return and when the fight is scheduled.
McGregor’s Last Appearance In The UFC
McGregor’s last UFC fight was against Dustin Poirier. McGregor first fought Poirier in 2014. He won that bout, and in January 2021, the two faced off again, with Poirier grasping the victory. This led to them initiating a trilogy that took place in July 2021.
- As he attempted many leg kicks between roundhouse kicks in the opening exchanges of the bout, McGregor aggressively started the fight. However, Poirier countered calmly by launching a handful of his leg kicks.
- Before Poirier forced the bout to the ground, the combatants exchanged a little back and forth. When McGregor’s brief choke attempt failed, Poirier was able to lay into the former two-division champion’s guard with a barrage of vicious elbows and punches.
- When McGregor finally managed to stand up, Poirier hit him again with a combo. McGregor went on to launch a right hand, but as he moved back to escape the counter, he suffered a horrifying injury as he fractured his leg.
- It became clear that McGregor’s leg had been shattered when Poirier stood up. The referee had to end the game, giving Poirier the victory via medical stoppage.
McGregor’s Potential Weight Class
There have been doubts over the weight class McGregor would fit in since he has become a different man since his injury. While recovering, the Irishman has bulked up with a massive gain of muscle, and there’s potential that he might be looking to move up a weight class.
- Following his extreme body makeover, McGregor declared his ambition to fight in the welterweight class.
- In the long run, that would put him in a position to topple Leon Edwards and become the first three-weight champion in UFC history. However, he must first defeat top-ranked opponents like Kamaru Usman, Khamzat Chimaev, Colby Covington, and Jorge Masvidal to earn a shot at the title.
McGregor’s Return Date
According to rumors, McGregor plans to fight again for the UFC in the first few months of 2023. His opponent is yet to be chosen, and there isn’t a set date. All that is now known is that he will return to the UFC this year against all odds. McGregor plans to fight in the first quarter of 2023 to allow himself plenty of time to be ready.
McGregor’s Potential Opponents
- Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier have one of the most intense rivalries in MMA history, despite Poirier’s advantage in the series with two victories to McGregor’s. If McGregor will stay in the lightweight division, a potential fourth fight with Poirier would be a hot topic as they have unfinished business, especially due to how their last fight ended. McGregor is still determined to draw even.
- After winning his final UFC fight of the year against Tony Ferguson, Nate Diaz formally became a free agent. A rumor suggests that the MMA legend might revisit the Octagon. Diaz and McGregor squared off in two of the most popular MMA events. Diaz won the first fight via submission, and McGregor evened the score by winning the sequel via decision. A third chapter in their narrative attracts a lot of attention.
- Conor McGregor’s rematch with Michael Chandler is the one to watch if you enjoy nerve-wracking fights. As the three-time lightweight champion of Bellator MMA, Chandler joined the UFC in 2021 and has since gained a devoted following for his explosive brand of action. Chandler has been urging them to square off to make the match happen, and he even stated his willingness to move up to welterweight.
Looking at how McGregor is eager for his in-ring return, we believe Dana White will make it happen. Although there are doubts over how early he can get into a fight since the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) demands that McGregor submit to drug tests for six months before he engages in another bout, rumors have it that he might be an exception. However it may be, watch out for McGregor’s return to the Octagon.
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