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Conor McGregor next fight: Coach John Kavanagh offers update with fourth Dustin Poirier clash, big-money Jake Paul bout and Nate Diaz ‘tune-up’ scrap considered ahead of comeback from horrific leg injury
Conor McGregor will need to be patient as he looks to bounce back from a disastrous 2021.
After taking out Donald Cerrone in January 2020, the 'Notorious' set up a blockbuster bout at UFC 257 against Dustin Poirier, the man who he first beat in 2014, but lost in devastating fashion.
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Less than five months later, McGregor and Poirier went at it for a third time but the Irishman lost again after suffering a horrific broken leg in the process.
With McGregor stepping up his recovery from injury, speculation is building over his next opponent.
Here's everything we know so far about his potential next fight.
Conor McGregor next fight: Who could he face?
While no opponent is yet confirmed, McGregor certainly won't be short of offers upon his return from injury.
With two fights left on his UFC contract, it's likely that the 33-year-old could field calls from significant figures in the worlds of both MMA and boxing.
Nate Diaz, Justin Gaethje and Rafael dos Anjos are all contenders to face the 'Notorious' as he looks to get back to winning ways in the UFC.
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However, Poirier is certainly the most popular choice of opponent as the prospect of a fourth bout gathers pace.
Should McGregor opt to step into the boxing ring again, a mega-money fight with Jake Paul could be an option, something that Eddie Hearn has thrown his backing behind.
The Irishman also hinted that he wants to fight Max Holloway again as he stared down the fighter from his living room before Blessed beat Yair Rodriguez.
McGregor defeated Holloway at featherweight back in 2013 and a rematch would be an exciting prospect.
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Conor McGregor next fight: What has been said?
Conor McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh is unsure if the fighter will be back this summer but is excited to see him in action again as soon as possible.
He said: "I don't know if Conor will be back this summer.
"That's all going to depend on how Conor's leg heals and a million other things that could happen between now and summer.
"So...to speculate is even stupid. I just stopped doing that.
"When Conor McGregor calls me and says, 'I'm ready to go full bore and start training a hundred percent', then we start talking about what's possible for Conor."
He added: "The physical stage of recovery is pretty much complete now, you have seen the posts [online].
"He has been enjoying himself over Christmas but he is ready to get back to that serious phase of training and not enjoy the good life and get ready for another contest.
"I'm just excited to see him back in there. It is always a big occasion, there isn't much like a McGregor fight week.
"It doesn't really matter; you say any name and it's exciting, but probably the Diaz trilogy would be a fan favourite. Let's just get him back healthy, back ready and back competing.
"He has won a couple of belts and earned all the money. He has achieved all those targets and exceeded them. At this stage, it's all about exciting fights.
"So whether it's Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, or Nate Diaz, it's just about getting back to training and getting back to competing."
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Dana White has also weighed in on McGregor's next opponent, telling the : "Conor seems to be healing up pretty well.
"The question is: When can he start kicking again?
"If he could take kicks, then he'd be looking at a fight before the end of the year again, so it all depends on how fast that leg heals."
With two fights left on his UFC deal, Michael Bisping has urged McGregor to consider a 'tune-up fight' in the shape of Diaz before looking to a fourth contest with Poirier.
Speaking on his , Bisping said: "Hopefully, we see that fight.
"I'm not sure if he wants to come back, Conor I'm talking about, after what's probably going to be about a year's lay-off and fighting Dustin for the third time.
"You kind of want to get your whistle wet. Find your mojo, blow off that ring rust.
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"Nate would be the guy. Then, if Conor beats Nate, then he fights Dustin, because, you know, they are going to do a fourth fight.
"The fourth fight will be absolutely massive, but I think if I was Conor's manager, if I was advising him, I would say 'take a tune-up fight,' you know what I mean?"
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