The Notorious one isn’t just planning a comeback; he’s plotting a conquest. In a recent interview, Conor McGregor made his intentions crystal clear: his return to the UFC octagon isn't about warm-up fights or settling old scores—it’s about championship gold, and making history by becoming the first UFC fighter to win titles in three different weight classes.
The Triple Crown Dream
McGregor, the former featherweight and lightweight king, has a new summit in his sights: the welterweight throne currently held by Islam Makhachev.
"I’m motivated," McGregor stated. "I’m self-motivated and I for sure want a crack at that belt. I for sure want a crack at that 170-pound belt to go for the triple crown."
This ambition comes after he watched Makhachev successfully jump from lightweight to welterweight to dethrone champion Jack Della Maddalena. McGregor acknowledged the champion's "courage," but in true McGregor fashion, he sees an opportunity. "It would be a good fight, a good scrap," he said, noting their shared southpaw stances. "I’m excited for it."
A Staggering Challenge
On paper, this is the definition of a high-risk, high-reward pursuit. Makhachev sits at the very top of the sport as the current pound-for-pound No. 1. McGregor, 37, hasn’t competed since a devastating leg break in 2021 and is nearing six years since his last victory. The gap in recent competitive activity is vast.
Yet, with Conor McGregor, logic often takes a backseat to spectacle and belief. A fight against Makhachev isn't just a title shot; it's a narrative super-fight layered with deep history. It would be a chance for McGregor to finally get a measure of revenge against the camp of his arch-rival, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev's mentor and longtime friend. The bitter feud that culminated at UFC 229 would add rocket fuel to the promotion.
The Road Back: Chandler, the White House, and Trust in the UFC
Before any title dreams can be realized, McGregor must first return. His long-anticipated clash with Michael Chandler, born from their Ultimate Fighter coaching stint, is still the most logical first step. McGregor remains open to it: "I won’t say no to no one. The UFC will decide it and I don’t care, I just want to come back."
His immediate focus is locked on the historic UFC event planned at the White House in June. McGregor is unequivocal: "The White House is on." He's in the gym twice a day, waiting for the call, expecting contract talks to begin around February. "I’m just eager to come back and show my work," he said.
The Bottom Line
Conor McGregor has never been one for modest goals. In targeting Islam Makhachev, he is aiming straight for the peak of the sport, chasing a legacy-defining achievement that would dwarf all his prior accomplishments. Whether the UFC will book this monumental—some would say improbable—fight remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: McGregor isn't coming back for participation trophies. He's coming back for gold, and he's willing to climb the most daunting mountain to get it.
The fight game has missed his electricity. If he can somehow turn this ambitious vision into reality, 2025 could be the most explosive year in MMA history.
What do you think? Is a McGregor vs. Makhachev welterweight title fight a dream match or a mismatch? And who should Conor face first on his comeback trail? Sound off below.
