“Surprise! Surprise! The King is back!” This fabled phrase is something fight fans have been eager to hear for the past three years. The question of Conor McGregor’s return has been buzzing, especially with recent rumors suggesting Dan Hooker as a potential opponent.

Moreover, both McGregor and Hooker have addressed the idea in the media, adding fuel to the speculation. So, will we see “The Notorious” take on “The Hangman” in the octagon? Fans are eagerly waiting for an official confirmation on what could be McGregor’s highly anticipated return bout.

Conor McGregor responds to the possibility of fighting Dan Hooker

A recent video shared by the page McGregor Forever has been making waves online, showing Conor McGregor enthusiastically responding to the idea of fighting Dan Hooker. In the clip, McGregor says, “When is Hooker getting it? February 4th, let’s go,” confirming his interest in facing “The Hangman” at 170 lbs.

Hooker also weighed in on the potential matchup during an interview with Ariel Helwani, expressing that the fight holds massive appeal for both parties. “It’s a fight that makes a lot of sense for him and for me, and we’re obviously both keen on it,” said Hooker, currently ranked sitting at #6 in the lightweight division.

However, he acknowledged some uncertainty regarding the Dubliner’s situation. “I don’t know what’s going on with him behind the scenes or with his relationship with the UFC, so that’s all I can say. Since the rumor started, people have been saying, ‘Don’t wait; don’t be another Michael Chandler.’ But that’s not the plan—I’m fighting early next year.”

McGregor recently stated that he is open to the matchup and even suggested UFC Saudi Arabia on February 1, 2025, as a possible date. While UFC President Dana White hasn’t officially commented on this bout, anticipation is building for McGregor’s highly anticipated return to the octagon.

Hooker, who last fought at UFC 305, has been much more active in the cage than McGregor, who has been occupied with his BKFC endeavors. He also shared that his manager is actively pursuing discussions with notable UFC figures such as Hunter Campbell to line up a top-tier opponent. As for McGregor’s return, there are three compelling reasons why UFC 310 could mark his comeback, adding even more fuel to the excitement surrounding this possible showdown.

Will McGregor be Dustin Poirier’s swansong?

If the UFC decides to move forward with Conor McGregor’s comeback for UFC 310, fans are buzzing with speculation over who might stand across from “The Notorious” in the Octagon.

In an interview with Submission Radio, Hooker hinted that he and McGregor are both interested in making the fight happen. “I’m on board. He’s on board. We just need to get the UFC on board, and we’ll get this thing across the line,” the New Zealand native revealed.

However, there’s another intriguing possibility in the form of Dustin Poirier. The two have a storied rivalry, with Poirier defeating McGregor in their last bout, during which McGregor suffered a broken leg. Poirier recently faced Islam Makhachev at UFC 302, where he fell short, but he hasn’t ruled out another fight. In a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Poirier stated, “I will fight again. It’s just how this thing unfolds — we’ll see when I do retire. It could be uno mas (one more), it could be dos mas (two more).”

If the UFC books Hooker vs. McGregor for UFC 310, it would be one of the most anticipated fights of the year. Are you excited about the possibility? Share your thoughts in the comments below!