UFC Legend Pitches Islam Makhachev Vs. Conor McGregor Title Fight

Should McGregor challenge for the UFC lightweight title when he returns?

Former two-division UFC champion and current color commentator Daniel Cormier wants to see Islam Makhachev defend his lightweight title against Conor McGregor next.

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Last weekend’s UFC 294 event in Abu Dhabi was meant to be headlined by a rematch between Makhachev and Charles Oliveira, but when Oliveira suffered a nasty cut less than two weeks out from the fight Alexander Volkanovski stepped up for his own rematch with the reigning lightweight champion.

Makhachev scored arguably the most impressive win of his career when he head kicked Volkanovski and finished him with follow-up strikes in the opening round at UFC 294. Discussions around who should challenge for the lightweight title next quickly began in the aftermath of the event, and Cormier proposed a surprise candidate during a recent episode of DC & RC.

Makhachev defended his lightweight belt in the main event of UFC 294.  :: (Giuseppe Cacace/AFP)

“I think Islam should fight Conor McGregor next,” Cormier said. “It’s built in. It’s the biggest money fight the UFC can make, and why not? You have Islam Makhachev – who looks to be a guy that’s gonna be a dominant champion. In order to have that dominant champion go to the next level of superstardom, you need a foil. You need a guy that can elevate him. The guy that can elevate him to that level is Conor McGregor.”

Currently on a two-fight losing streak, McGregor hasn’t stepped into the Octagon since his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 ended after the first round when the Irishman broke his ankle.

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“The Notorious” was supposed to make his return this year after coaching The Ultimate Fighter opposite Michael Chandler, but now that the Chandler matchup appears to have fizzled Cormier argues that a lightweight title fight between Makhachev and McGregor makes a lot of sense.

McGregor last challenged for a title at UFC 229.  / (Associated Press)

“Look at what beating Conor McGregor did for Dustin Poirier. Look at what it did for Khabib Nurmagomedov. And we’re not even talking about all the other levels at which this just makes sense. You have Islam fighting Conor after the issues Conor had with Khabib and everything else. You have Islam fighting Conor, the biggest star in mixed martial arts coming back to the UFC…It makes sense.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s rivalry with McGregor would certainly help to generate a significant amount of hype if the “The Notorious” were to return and challenge the former champion's teammate for a UFC title.

Top lightweights such as Oliveira and Justin Gaethje would likely take issue with the Irishman walking straight back into a lightweight title shot, but now that USADA testing won't be an obstacle in the way of McGregor's return it would be no surprise to see the UFC book a potentially massive fight between him and Makhachev. 

If you use any quotes from this article, please leave an H/T to MMAKnockout.com for the transcription.

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