Conor McGregor Next Fight Odds: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Nate Diaz Or Tony Ferguson?

Even if Conor McGregor does not fight Khabib Nurmagomedov in an instant rematch, he has plenty of options his way if he wants to remain active.

McGregor returned to the octagon after nearly two years at UFC 229 earlier this month but was outclassed by Nurmagomedov, eventually losing via a neck crank submission in the fourth round of their lightweight title fight.

He has since called for a rematch and earlier this week, analyzed the defeat in detail in a lengthy social media post. Interestingly, he concluded with this:

"What can I say? It was a great fight and it was my pleasure. I will be back with my confidence high. Fully prepared. If it is not the rematch right away, no problem. I will face the next in line. It’s all me always, anyway. See you soon my fighting fans I love you all."

The most lucrative option would be a rematch, especially after UFC 229 sold a reported record 2.4 million pay-per-view buys. However, from a competitive standpoint, not many in the MMA world feel McGregor is deserving of a rematch, considering the manner of his defeat.

And with the Irishman open to facing someone else if he isn't to get his rematch, the next likely candidate is Nate Diaz, according to OddsShark who gives their trilogy fight +150 odds of happening next.

Diaz was originally supposed to fight Dustin Poirier at UFC 230 in November but the fight was called off after the latter injured his hip and required surgery. Diaz has not fought since his defeat to McGregor at UFC 202 in August 2016.

Tony Ferguson, who many feel should be next in line to challenge Nurmagomedov, is interestingly second with +200 odds.

A rematch with Nurmagomedov is +250 while a super fight with Anderson Silva is +800 with the former middleweight champion recently expressing a desire to fight McGregor in a catchweight fight at 180 pounds.

“I think (UFC president Dana White needs) to think about this,” Silva recently said. “Because it’s two big guys in this sport. Two big names – yes, absolutely, two big legends. And, why not? I think 180 for me is good. I think to Conor, (it’s good) too. Because it’s a super fight, it’s not about weight class.”

Welterweight legend Georges St-Pierre is +2000 while a likely boxing rematch with Floyd Mayweather has +5000 odds.

Things are a bit uncertain in the lightweight division, however, due to the post-fight brawl that occurred after Nurmagomedov's win.

Nurmagomedov and McGregor were both temporarily suspended earlier this month with the Nevada State Athletic Commission planning to reveal their punishments on Wednesday. In the end, the NSAC voted unanimously to extend their suspensions indefinitely until their investigation is over and formal complaints are filed.

"I understand that the Nevada State Athletic Commission is doing a thorough investigation, which I am confident will benefit my client, Conor McGregor," the 30-year-old's manager Audie Attar said afterward, as per ESPN.

Nurmagomedov, whose $2 million purse was withheld earlier for inciting the brawl, will only receive half his purse. The entire situation is expected to be resolved by the end of the year.