A UFC legend is backing Conor McGregor to fight for any one of three world titles after his octagon return next month.
Former middleweight champion Michael Bisping feels that the Irishman could compete for welterweight gold against Leon Edwards, or move down to lightweight to take on Islam Makhachev. He also suggested that McGregor could rematch Max Holloway for his BMF title.
The former two-weight world champion must first, however, get through Michael Chandler in his first fight since the summer of 2021. They will meet at UFC 303 on June 29, with both men moving up to welterweight for the bout.
Conor McGregor told he could fight for three UFC titles amid octagon return
Bisping laid out a number of possible steps for McGregor’s next fights, even noting that should he lose he may end up retiring altogether. And he reckons that just one win would immediately put the former lightweight and featherweight champion on a path towards gold once again.
“They’re promoting this fight big time,” Bisping told viewers on his YouTube channel. “And listen, you never know, maybe this could be the last time we ever see Conor McGregor fight inside the octagon.
“I’m not saying that because I’m telling you now, if Conor wins he’s going to fight for a belt next and there’s multiple belts that he could fight for. 155lb, 170lb and the ‘Baddest MotherF***er’ title as well.
“So there’s a lot of opportunity if he looks good, if he wins the fight and he doesn’t get absolutely smoked.”
Michael Bisping rubbishes claims that Conor McGregor isn’t taking comeback seriously
Many fans have noticed that McGregor has continued to visit his pub The Black Forge Inn during his time in training camp. And they feel it’s an example of how he couldn’t be seriously locked in for his fight, despite having quit drinking.
But Bisping believes that his body will make dramatic changes over the coming weeks, adding: “If he beats Michael Chandler he’s going to fight for a belt. It’s as simple as that but which belt is the question and is he going to show up.”
He admitted that there may be distractions as the Irishman grapples with his continued fame, but also said: “After three years away from the sport, he broke his leg, sleeps in silk sheets and drives a Lamborghini yacht and he’s a movie star. There’s lots of distractions, will he be the same person?
“I’ve always said listen, let any man get in a fight camp, lose some weight, get fit and healthy, the man is still only 35-years-old. He’s got access to the best training partners on earth and he was a two-weight-division champion.
“You can’t forget about that stuff, even granted for three years he’s been enjoying himself and been partying. So f***ing what? The human body can transform very very quickly, so is he fully dedicated? We’ve got to presume that McGregor is because he’s lost three of his last four.
“He had two bad losses to Dustin Poirier, beat Donald Cerrone and lost to Khabib [Nurmagomedov]. So it’s not that bad! But fight sports are ‘what have you done for me lately?’
“And since 2020 the world hasn’t seen Conor McGregor win. He needs a win and he’s looking lean and talking about fighting for a belt next.”