A legendary UFC figure thinks a surprise welterweight name would be the perfect opponent for Conor McGregor’s comeback fight.
McGregor is seemingly eyeing a return to the Octagon in 2026, having not competed since his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier in July 2021 ended when the Irishman suffered a brutal broken leg.
Since making his recovery and having a failed comeback in 2024, the UFC’s first simultaneous two-division champion has been focused on things away from the cage, including McGregor’s short-lived political plan and co-ownership of BKFC.
But talk of ‘The Notorious’ returning to competition was sparked once again after President Donald Trump revealed plans to stage UFC fights on the White House lawn in celebration of July 4 next year.
Should that come to fruition, it remains to be seen who McGregor would throw down with. But the latest suggestion has certainly come out of left field…
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John McCarthy picks Daniel Rodriguez as the best opponent for Conor McGregor’s UFC comeback
McGregor’s hopes to headline a potential White House card received a boost recently when Dana White dismissed Jon Jones as an option, branding ‘Bones’ too unreliable for such an occasion.
With that, discussion over a matchup featuring the Irishman in 2026 has picked up. And while giving his take, legendary former UFC referee John McCarthy had a surprise opponent in mind for the ex-featherweight and lightweight champion.
“I look and if I’m gonna bring Conor back, I’m gonna bring Conor back against somebody that is gonna stand and bang against him,” McCarthy said on the Weighing In podcast. “I’m not gonna bring anybody that is gonna try to take him down.
“I would actually look towards someone like a Daniel Rodriguez, somebody like that to fight with Conor. I figure Conor is gonna be 170. He’s not gonna be a 155er.
“I think that Daniel Rodriguez will be a more entertaining fight than the fight with Michael Chandler,” McCarthy added.
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Michael Chandler still hasn’t given up hope of fighting Conor McGregor
Years after their failed fight was first announced ahead of their coaching stint on The Ultimate Fighter, Chandler remains hopeful of sharing the cage with McGregor.
During a recent interview with MMA Fighting five months on from his latest setback against Paddy Pimblett, the former three-time Bellator champion threw his name into the hat for the UFC’s White House event in 2026.
When it comes to his opponent, ‘Iron’ is confident that a long-awaited showdown with McGregor will come to fruition.
“Obviously that’s a fight that I want, first and foremost,” Chandler said. “I want the White House, ideally. If it becomes Conor that would be awesome.
“I believe as much flack as he takes, he’s more of a man of his word when it comes to this sport than people give him credit for…I’m the type of guy that trusts his gut and I believe it’s gonna be me and Conor, if Conor is coming back and is actually fighting at the White House.
“I think we’re definitely a lot closer today than we ever have been,” Chandler continued. “I do have some inside sources from people close to him who have said the exact same sentiment and obviously withdrawing from the presidential race in Ireland gets his focus back on training.
“I think I’m fighting Conor McGregor at the White House.”