Conor McGregor, the Irishman whose trash talk rivals his famed left straight, has once again stirred the waters! While the MMA sphere has been waiting for his return to the Octagon since 2021, UFC CEO Dana White recently proclaimed, “Conor McGregor will fight next year, early 2025”. But it seems like the Irish MMA icon has other plans he might consider.

In a recent post shared on Instagram by DAZN Boxing, McGregor was pictured sitting next to a boxing ring with gloves on. The post had the caption, “Who would you like to see @thenotoriousmma face next?!” And in the comments section, the combat sports superstar himself proclaimed, “I walk around and NO ONE CAN CHECK ME.”

While his recent Octagon absence may have disappointed some fans, the mere hint of McGregor in the ring has fans buzzing. Since his famous bout with Floyd Mayweather in 2017, the Irishman’s boxing ambitions have been the subject of endless speculation. After all, the massive crossover event drew in 4.3 million domestic buys according to information released by Showtime, setting the record for the 2nd highest buy rate in PPV history!

But who would ‘The Notorious’ face in the squared circle if he decides to venture into boxing once again? Could it be Manny Pacquiao, Jake Paul, or someone else? Here’s a look at what the netizens had to say.

Fans throw out Jake Paul and Manny Pacquiao’s names as Conor McGregor teases a boxing return

Jake Paul, known as the ‘Problem Child’, has proven he’s more than just a YouTuber with a punch. He has amassed a record of 10-1 and defeated former UFC fighter and McGregor’s BKFC partner, Mike Perry recently. A McGregor-Paul showdown would be a spectacle, with Paul’s bravado nearly matching McGregor. In fact, the two have fired off shots at one another in the past, with Paul stating, “…the ‘Notorious’ MMA is scared of Jake Joseph Paul from Disney Channel. And I put that on my mama.”

“Jake Paul”

A wild card pick was also thrown out by the fans with KSI’s name being added to the list of potential opponents. The British influencer has built a 5-fight boxing record but doesn’t hold the draw of Pacquiao or Jake Paul. Still, with his massive online following, a McGregor-KSI match could easily be a box-office hit. The two have shared heated words before, making a match plausible if McGregor opts for a more unconventional choice.

“I wanna see him get whooped by KSI”

Then, there’s Manny Pacquiao. Known as one of boxing’s living legends, Pacquiao remains a tantalizing option. Although retired, Pacquiao has ventured into exhibition fights recently, and a match-up with McGregor could be another highlight for the ‘Pac-Man’. Pacquiao’s agent, Sean Gibbons, has been vocal about this possibility, calling it an “intriguing and fun fight,” especially given their history of courtroom clashes over a previously failed fight contract.

“Exhibition vs Pacquiao”

Although the prospect of Conor McGregor donning boxing gloves again can be another massive crossover event, some fans aren’t too keen on the idea. With the repeated cancelations of his bout against Michael Chandler, and UFC boss Dana White indicating that 2025 might be the year of his long-awaited comeback, the Octagon seems to be where the fans want to see the Irishman back in action!

“we want him in ufc not boxing”

The question remains: does McGregor have what it takes to reclaim his boxing reputation? Because some fans don’t believe he has what it takes to succeed in the squared circle. What do you think?

“Nobody..He cant box for sh—“

In conclusion, the buzz surrounding Conor McGregor’s next move is nothing short of electric. With fans torn between his return to the Octagon and the allure of another high-stakes boxing showdown, McGregor knows how to keep the crowd guessing. Will ‘The Notorious’s next fight be in the cage where he made his name or the boxing ring, where he aims to make history again? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!