Conor McGregor has a few things left on his bucket list before he hangs up his gloves.
McGregor has previously identified middleweight legend Anderson Silva as a dream opponent, his long-standing desire to headline a UFC event at Croke Park has been well-documented and, apparently, he also wants to compete in Brazil before his retirement.
‘The Notorious’ was impressed by the atmosphere at last weekend’s UFC card in Fortaleza and revealed that he still holds out hope of fighting in the South American country after missing out on the chance to compete in Rio de Janeiro last year.
McGregor came close to headlining UFC 224 last May against former rival Rafael dos Anjos after reportedly agreeing to an interim welterweight title fight against the Brazilian but the bout never came to fruition.
In the wee hours of Sunday morning, McGregor reacted to the exciting UFC Fight Night 144 card in Brazil by announcing his desire to fight there and, as expected, his tweet was pounced on by a couple of Brazilian fighters.
What an amazing atmosphere at UFC Brazil tonight.
I would LOVE to compete there for all the passionate Brazilian fans at some stage of my career.
I was so close to securing a bout in Rio last year. It was essentially a done deal.
Maybe next time.
Ui Vai Morrer!!!! I’m still here.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) February 3, 2019
McGregor and Dos Anjos have a rivalry going back to 2016, when the Irishman was scheduled to fight for the 155lbs belt before an injury forced Dos Anjos out of the bout and Nate Diaz stepped in to headline UFC 196 instead.
And Dos Anjos has responded to the above tweet from McGregor by reminding the Dubliner of their “unfinished business” and allowing him to pick the weight division in which the grudge match can finally take place.
We have unfinished business, we got close to get it done twice. You pick the weightclass #RDA #Brasil #JesusFirst https://t.co/RMQ9fUv9Q5
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) February 3, 2019
As well as Dos Anjos, Jose Aldo has made it known that he would be open to a clash with McGregor at lightweight.
The long-time former UFC featherweight champion is understandably eager for the chance to claim revenge against McGregor, who knocked Aldo out in 13 seconds at UFC 194 in 2015.
“To me it would be great,” Aldo said of a potential McGregor rematch after turning back the years to stop Renato Moicano on Saturday night. “I don’t know if this fight he said [would be] in Rio, it didn’t get to me, but if I have that opportunity at the division above, that way I don’t have to suffer through the weight cut, I think it would be a great fight.
