The Irishman recently confirmed that he will return to the octagon in 2025.
A former UFC heavyweight fighter has told Conor McGregor that he should consider fighting Paddy Pimblett when he returns to the UFC next year.
Speaking on his podcast The Schaub Show, Brendan Schaub identified Paddy Pimblett as the perfect opponent for the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion’s return to the sport.
McGregor was scheduled to fight Michael Chandler in June, but was forced to cancel the event after suffering a broken toe in training.
Chandler recently announced he will take on Charles Oliveira in November – a rematch of Oliveira’s 2021 win against the American, which came via TKO.
That news confirmed for many that we won’t have the pleasure of seeing McGregor throw hands again this year, but speculation has grown in recent months that 2025 will be the year that the Notorious gets back inside the octagon.
Last weekend, while in attendance at the Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois fight at Wembley Stadium, McGregor confirmed to DAZN that he will be returning to the octagon next year, and even expressed a desire to come back with two fights.
🚨| Conor McGregor provides the latest on his return and says he expects to fight out the final two fights on his UFC contract in 2025.
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) September 21, 2024
[per #JoshuaDubois DAZN broadcast]
pic.twitter.com/rjg4OJKoCV
“It will be 2025,” McGregor said. “We will see. My opponent that I had scheduled… it is what it is. I take it on board and rock on.
“My job is to go to the gym and be in shape, whenever it is and wherever it is,” he added. “I will be 100 per cent ready.
“I must get two fights in 2025. It’s the promised land. Who knows (who the next opponent will be). It does not matter. Whoever, let’s see. I’d like it to be Chandler. I wish him well and see where it goes.”
Off the back of those comments from McGregor, fighter-turned-comedian Schaub told his listeners: “Let’s say he’s back mid-summer, like Q2, early Q3, let’s say Paddy Pimblett gets one more big win. Bobby Green was ranked in the top 15, let’s say he gets one more marquee win… Paddy Pimblett vs. Conor? You wouldn’t watch that?”
He continued: “It puts Paddy on, and it’s [a good fight]. Conor has a significant advantage in striking, on the ground [it’s Paddy]. That’d be a fun fight. Paddy’s a huge name man, huge name, especially internationally he’s a massive star. It makes sense. You do that, or Max Holloway [for Conor], that’s what I’d do.”
Alternatively, Schaub also mentioned Max Holloway as the perfect dance partner ahead of the Irishman’s return.
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The Hawaiian picked up one of the most impressive wins of his career in his last outing, knocking out Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 to win the ‘BMF’ title.
The former featherweight king is set to take on current champion, Ilia Topuria, in a blockbuster contest at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi next month.
Considering McGregor has made his ambition two fight two separate opponents clear, could both be on the cards for the Crumlin native next year?
