KEY POINTS

  • Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier are scheduled to fight on July 10th
  • McGregor announces that the fight is off after the two went back and forth on social media
  • McGregor bares that he is looking for a new opponent

From the looks of things, the highly-anticipated trilogy bout between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier is in a bit of trouble.

The two lightweight contenders had already agreed to face each other for a third time on July 10th, with the winner likely getting a lightweight title shot against the winner of UFC 262’s main event between Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler.

Just days after the agreement was reported, it appears as though McGregor and Poirier got into a little spat regarding a pledged donation to the latter’s The Good Fight Foundation.

With the fight potentially not pushing through, McGregor is now looking for someone else to fight on July 10th.

Fortunately, the UFC’s lightweight division is probably the most stacked, and there are a number of options for “The Notorious” to face. Here are some interesting bouts to make for the Irish mixed martial arts superstar.

Winner Of Charles Oliveira Vs. Michael Chandler

UFC 262 Charles Oliveria Michael Chandler
Charles Oliveira will face Michael Chandler for the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 262 UFC
Pitting McGregor against the winner of the title tilt between Oliveira and Chandler would be the most likely scenario if the rubber match versus Poirier does fall through.

READ ALSO: Khabib Nurmagomedov Officially Retires; Top Contenders Set To Battle For Vacant UFC Lightweight Title

McGregor is arguably the biggest name in the UFC’s 155-pound division, and putting him in the main event with the title on the line would do some serious numbers.

If they do give it to the rightful contender like Poirier, it’s likely that the trilogy happens later on, possibly with the belt on the line.

Justin Gaethje

Justin Gaethje (L) of the United States punches Tony Ferguson (R) of the United States in their Interim lightweight title fight during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
Justin Gaethje (L) of the United States punches Tony Ferguson (R) of the United States in their Interim lightweight title fight during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena Getty Images | Douglas P. DeFelice

Former interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has had some things to say about McGregor and how the promotion has favorably treated the Irishman.

What better way to settle those things than with a match inside the Octagon? Gaethje is still a Top 5-ranked lightweight in the world, and a fight against McGregor would definitely draw some fans.

Tony Ferguson

Tony Ferguson
Tony Ferguson looks likely to be next in line to face Khabib Nurmagomedov. In this picture, Ferguson poses during a ceremonial weigh-in for UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Oct. 5, 2018. Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Tony Ferguson is currently booked to face Beneil Dariush, but if that fight ends up getting scrapped for whatever reason, then a cage date with McGregor would be the best matchup to go with.

Ferguson has talked a lot of smack against McGregor in the past, and fans would love to finally see the two loud-mouthed lightweights finally go at it.

Paul Felder

Paul Felder
Paul Felder UFC.com

While it’s not really a fight that would do anything for the career of McGregor, a fight with Paul Felder is intriguing because the two have some beef with each other.

McGregor apparently isn’t fond of Felder’s “Irish Dragon” moniker. Why not have the two battle for the right to be Irish and put it on a UFC pay-per-view?

Who would you like to see Conor McGregor face next?

RELATED STORIES