With the UFC having one of its most successful years in 2023, in terms of business, it plans to do the same for 2024. And what better way to plan it out than to start the first half of the year by holding the historic event of UFC 300 along with the former double champ Conor McGregor’s return? Although the two are not going down on the same date, this makes the first half of the year a big one for the UFC. McGregor once again showcased his star power when his announcement made waves on New Year’s eve. But is there an unexplored aspect of his return that we should be discussing?
‘The Notorious’ announced a fight against Michael Chandler at middleweight for the month of June at UFC 302. However, what holds next for the UFC superstar after his fight against Chandler? UFC legend, Michael Bisping seems to have an answer to that question.
Michael Bisping wants to see the final chapter of the Nate Diaz – Conor McGregor rivalry
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Conor McGregor has time and again maintained that the UFC lightweight division has plenty of options open for him after (or despite) his fight against Chandler. McGregor is the kind of star who is always one win away from a title fight. Even if he loses, there is still a trilogy fight against Nate Diaz, something that excites all fight fans across the globe.
Now that Diaz is flirting with the idea of returning to the Octagon via some tweets, Bisping claims that the fight needs to take place. ‘The Count’ went on to claim that the fight would intrigue fans regardless of their history, stating, “He’s putting the feelers out there. Conor vs. Nate. It doesn’t matter their history. It doesn’t matter if they went off and lost five fights apiece. We still want to see that trilogy go down.”
“The fan base is there, the appetite is there and I absolutely want to see it. And if Conor loses this to Michael Chandler, then you throw him in there against Nate Diaz. That makes all the dollars and the cents in the goddamn world. Take my money. Sign me up. Let’s go,” says Bisping, concluding his take on the trilogy between McGregor and Diaz, claiming how the fight would still draw in a lot of PPV buys.
There’s no doubt that a fight between the two would certainly sell a lot of tickets. But ‘Mystic Mac’ has to keep his sights set on Michael Chandler at UFC 302. It must also be noted, however, that McGregor was aiming to headline UFC 300 before it fell through. Here is how ‘The Notorious’ reacted.
McGregor’s initial reaction to not fighting on the UFC 300 card
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Conor McGregor certainly didn’t have a pleasant reaction to Dana White and the UFC not letting him fight at the UFC 300 card. In an interview at the Anthony Joshua and Otto Wallin boxing fight event, he went on a rant saying, “No one in the history of the fight game’s ever been treated the way I’m getting treated at this minute, yeah?”
“Through what I came through to what I bring, they f***** should open floodgates for me,” said McGregor, claiming that his patience is wearing thin with the UFC. However, ‘The Notorious’ seems to be in a better mood now since he has a fight to look forward to.
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Given that Conor McGregor still has a lot of options left for him despite winning or losing the Chandler fight, do you think McGregor will fight more than once this year? If so, who do you reckon he would fight? Let us know in the comments section below.