Conor McGregor plans on strutting right back to the top as soon as he’s back on his feet.
McGregor (22-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC), who suffered a gruesome leg break in a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July, has shown no signs of being deterred despite his recent setbacks.
The Irish superstar claimed he entered the trilogy bout with stress fractures in his leg and is currently on the road to recovery. Though he won’t be able to compete until next year, it’s apparent that his hunger and drive haven’t faltered.
“2022. I’m improving rapidly! Working with the best team money can buy! I’ll be back in no time, lock loaded!”
2022. I’m improving rapidly! Working with the best team money can buy!
I’ll be back in no time, lock loaded! https://t.co/uqDKEk3XtF— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 16, 2021
But when McGregor returns, he says it won’t just be for any fight. The former dual-division UFC champ firmly has his sights set on gold again, and while he may be 1-3 in his past four bouts, he remains undoubtedly the biggest draw and star in the sport.
When asked if he’d consider boxing over MMA, McGregor didn’t rule that possibility out, but made it clear that he intends on going right after the reigning UFC champion in his return to the octagon.
“Possibly. The leg tho will be more than equipped to kick. I am billi walking straight to a title shot on my return and it sickens the bums of this business. Which is the real reason these constant disrespectful comments come by way. God bless them.”
Possibly. The leg tho will be more than equipped to kick. I am billi walking straight to a title shot on my return and it sickens the bums of this business. Which is the real reason these constant disrespectful comments come by way. God bless them. https://t.co/IEWhjVRmj8
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 16, 2021
McGregor may not be the frontrunner for a title shot in any logical pecking order, but with reigning lightweight champion Charles Oliveira recently lauding his impact on the sport and Poirier seemingly open to a fourth fight with McGregor, “The Notorious” may just get his wish.
Oliveira is expected to make his first title defense against Poirier and has two hungry former title challengers in Michael Chandler and Justin Gaethje vying for another shot at gold when they square off in November.
But McGregor didn’t exactly specify which weight class he was targeting, even eyeing UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman as a possibility, as well.
“Tremendous! I love this record! I fight for the 170lb title I will spark him too. That would be fastest ko in ufc title fight (13 seconds) Most knockdowns in ufc title fight (5) And then another KO in a ufc title fight. 3 title fights. 3 ko’s. 3 new records. It’s right there!”
Tremendous! I love this record! I fight for the 170lb title I will spark him too.
That would be fastest ko in ufc title fight (13 seconds)
Most knockdowns in ufc title fight (5)
And then another KO in a ufc title fight.
3 title fights. 3 ko’s. 3 new records.
It’s right there! https://t.co/80iI59klPN— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 16, 2021
“Quite possible, yes.”
Quite possible, yes. https://t.co/riZLFwHTox
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 16, 2021