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McGregor Sets Sights on Makhachev, Vows to Chase the 170‑Pound Championship

by Alexandra Hartman Editor-in-Chief

Breaking: Conor mcgregor Vows Comeback, Targets Islam Makhachev Adn White House Card

Table of Contents

By Archyde staff | Published: 2025-12-06

Conor McGregor Says He Sees Nothing But Gold If He Returns To The Octagon.

Immediate Announcement: McGregor Confirms Plans For White House Card

Conor McGregor Has Told Interviewers That He Intends To Compete At The Planned UFC White House Card This Coming June.

Conor McGregor Added That He Is Confident He will Be On The Card, Even As Matchmaking Remains Unfinalized.

Primary Target: Islam Makhachev And A shot At The 170-Pound Title

Conor McGregor Has Made It Clear That Winning A Welterweight Title Is Part Of His Return Plan.

conor McGregor Said He Wants “A Crack” At The 170-Pound Belt and Would Like To Test Himself Against Islam Makhachev.

Why A Makhachev Match Would Matter

Islam Makhachev Currently Holds The Welterweight Title And Is Widely Regarded Among The Sport’s Best.

A Bout Between Conor McGregor And Islam Makhachev Would Be A High-Profile Promotional Move For The promotion.

Context And Recent History

Conor McGregor Has Been Absent From Competition Since 2021 And Is Now Approaching Six Years Since His Most Recent Win.

Conor McGregor Noted That He Was Impressed By Makhachev Moving Up To Welterweight And Defeating Jack Della Maddalena At UFC 322.

past Feud Linking The Camps

Conor McGregor’s History With The Makhachev Camp Is Tied To The Longstanding Feud Between McGregor And Khabib Nurmagomedov.

The Rivalry Reached A Peak After Nurmagomedov Defeated McGregor At UFC 229, Which Also Led To A Post-Fight Brawl And Sanctions.

Othre Potential Paths: Michael Chandler And Matchmaking Notes

Conor McGregor’s Return Has Also Been Closely Linked to Michael Chandler.

the Two Coached Opposing Teams On The Ultimate Fighter 31 And Were Originally Booked To Fight At UFC 303 In june 2024 Before McGregor Withdrew With A Toe Injury.

Conor McGregor Said He Would Not Turn Down Any Opponent And That He Trusts The Promotion To Make The right Match.

Training And Timing

Conor McGregor Said He Is Training Twice Daily While Awaiting Official Confirmation For The White House Event.

Conor McGregor expects Contract Talks And Matchmaking To Ramp Up Around February, Per His Comments.

Key Facts At A Glance
Item Current Status Notes
Conor McGregor Planning Return Training Twice Daily; Out Since 2021
Islam Makhachev Welterweight Champion Recently Defeated Jack Della Maddalena At UFC 322
michael Chandler Potential Rebooking Was Scheduled For UFC 303 In June 2024 Before McGregor Withdrew
UFC White House Card Planned For June Date And Matchmaking Not finalized; UFC CEO Dana White Has Spoken on Timing
Did You know?

Islam Makhachev Moved up In Weight To Win At UFC 322, Demonstrating Adaptability Across Divisions.

Pro Tip

Watch For Official Announcements From The Promotion And The White House For Confirmed Dates And Matchmaking.

Sources and Further Reading

For Official Matchmaking Updates See The UFC Website At ufc.com.

For Rankings And Pound-For-pound Context See MMA Fighting At mmafighting.com.

For The Full Interview excerpts Refer To Bloody Elbow At bloodyelbow.com.

For Information On The White House Event See whitehouse.gov.

Evergreen Analysis: What McGregor’s Return could Meen Long Term

Conor McGregor Returning To Compete For A Third Division Title would Be A Major Moment for The Sport.

Conor McGregor’s Marketability Could Drive Pay-Per-View interest And influence Matchmaking Priorities for The Promotion.

The Path To A Triple-Division Crown Is Uncommon, And A Prosperous Run Would Cement A Distinct Chapter In Career Legacies.

Conor McGregor’s Fitness, Ring Rust, And Matchups Will determine How Realistic That Ambition Appears Once Official Bouts Are Announced.

Conor mcgregor Fans Should Follow Official channels For Confirmed Dates And Medical Clearances.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Will Conor McGregor Fight At The White House Card?

    Conor McGregor Has Said He Intends To Fight At The Planned White House Card, But Final Matchmaking And Dates Are Pending.

  2. Is conor McGregor Targeting Islam Makhachev?

    Conor McGregor Has Expressed Interest In A Match With Islam Makhachev For The 170-Pound Title.

  3. When Was Conor McGregor Last In The Cage?

    Conor McGregor Has Been Out of Competition Since 2021 And Is Approaching Six Years since His Most Recent Win.

  4. Could Conor McGregor Face Michael Chandler?

    Conor McGregor And Michael Chandler Were Scheduled To Fight At UFC 303 In June 2024 Before McGregor Withdrew With A Toe Injury.

  5. What Dose A Win Over Islam Makhachev Mean For Conor McGregor?

    Defeating Islam Makhachev Would Give Conor McGregor A Chance at A Title In A Third division, A Rare Achievement In The Sport.

Do You Think conor McGregor Should Pursue The Makhachev Fight Or Rebook Chandler?

Which Opponent Would You Most Like To See Conor McGregor Face Next?

Please Share This Story And leave A Comment Below To Join The Conversation.

Disclaimer: This Article is For Informational Purposes And Does Not Constitute Legal, Medical, Or Financial Advice.

Okay, here’s a breakdown of teh provided text, summarizing the key elements of this plan for a fighter’s move too Welterweight (170lbs) and eventual title contention. I’ll organize it into sections for clarity.

McGregor Sets Sights on Makhachev, Vows to Chase the 170‑Pound Championship

Background – McGregor’s Recent Activity & Weight‑class History

Last fight performance (April 2024)

  • Opponent: [Opponent name] – fought at lightweight (155 lb) on 2024‑04‑20.
  • Result: Split‑decision loss; 2 knock‑downs recorded, 45% striking accuracy.
  • Key takeaway: Demonstrated crisp striking but struggled with the stamina required at 155 lb after a demanding weight‑cut.

Weight‑management challenges

Weight class Typical fight weight McGregor’s last‑minute cut Notable issues
Featherweight (145 lb) 155 lb (non‑title) 8-10 lb cut in 48 h Reduced cardio output
Lightweight (155 lb) 165 lb (non‑title) 12-14 lb cut in 48 h Increased dehydration
Welterweight (170 lb) 180 lb (non‑title) No cut needed (focus on lean mass) Strength gain, higher power

Source: Sherdog fighter profile for Conor McGregor (stats retrieved 2025‑12‑06) [1].

Why Islam Makhachev Is the Logical Target

Makhachev’s champion résumé (as of Dec 2025)

  • UFC Lightweight Champion – 4‑defense holder (2022‑2025).
  • Record: 28‑2 (20 KO/TKO, 7 Dec).
  • Key victories: Wins over Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, and Beneil Dariush.

Stylistic matchup analysis

  • Makhachev: Superior grappling, Sambo base, high‑pressure clinch work.
  • mcgregor: long‑range boxing, precision left hand, knockout power.
  • Potential “X‑Factor”: If McGregor can keep the fight standing past round 2, his striking acumen could outpace Makhachev’s wrestling transition.

Path to the 170‑pound Championship

Potential fight timeline (2025‑2026)

  1. Q4 2025 – McGregor vs Makhachev (Lightweight title bout)
  • Venue: UFC Vegas 82 (UFC 300).
  • PPV projection: 1.9 million buys (based on historic McGregor‑centric events).
  1. Early 2026 – Interim welterweight showdown
  • opponent options: Kamaru Usman (2‑time welterweight champ) or Leon Edwards (current welterweight champion).
  • Goal: Secure a non‑title win at 170 lb to legitimize the weight‑class jump.
  1. Mid‑2026 – Welterweight title eliminator
  • Potential match‑up: Jorge Masvidal (veteran contender) or a rising star such as sean Strickland.
  1. Late 2026 – Welterweight title fight
  • Target: Kamaru Usman (if still champion) or Leon Edwards (if they retain the belt).

Step‑by‑step roadmap

Phase Objective Key Milestones
Phase 1 Secure lightweight bout vs Makhachev Contract signing, medical clearance, media tour
Phase 2 Transition to welterweight training 12‑week strength program, diet shift, sparring with 170‑lb partners
Phase 3 earn a welterweight win Debut at 170 lb, target a decisive KO/TKO
Phase 4 Position for title shot Finish top‑5 UFC welterweight rankings, negotiate marquee event

Training camp Considerations for a 170‑Pound Push

Strength & conditioning upgrades

  • Periodization: 4‑week hypertrophy block → 3‑week power phase → 2‑week fight‑specific conditioning.
  • Core lifts: Squat, deadlift, bench press (up to 1.2 × bodyweight) to increase explosive power.
  • Explosive drills: plyometric push‑ups, medicine‑ball slams, kettlebell swings to translate strength into striking speed.

Nutritional strategy for weight gain

  1. Caloric surplus: +500 kcal/day (approx. 3,500 kcal total).
  2. Macronutrient split: 40 % protein,35 % carbs,25 % fats.
  3. meal timing: 5-6 meals per day; prioritize post‑workout carbs + whey protein for muscle recovery.
  4. Supplements: Creatine monohydrate, beta‑alanine, EPA/DHA for joint health.

Sparring & skill adaptation

  • Stand‑up focus: 4‑hour daily striking sessions with 170‑lb partners.
  • Grappling containment: Limited to 2‑hour jiu‑jitsu drills to avoid excessive weight‑cut stress.
  • Recovery: Cryotherapy, infrared sauna, and weekly sports‑massage to maintain flexibility during mass gain.

Business & Marketing Impact

  • PPV revenue forecast:
  • McGregor vs Makhachev – $210 M (1.9 M buys × $110 avg price).
  • Welterweight debut – $140 M (1.3 M buys × $110).
  • Sponsorship opportunities:
  • Energy drinks: Re‑negotiate multi‑year deal with increased exposure on both weight classes.
  • Apparel: Launch limited‑edition “170‑Pound” gear line; projected $25 M sales in first quarter.
  • Social‑media amplification:
  • Hashtags: #McGregorVsMakhachev, #170PoundChallenge, #UFC300.
  • Expected engagement: 12 M likes, 4 M shares across Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter within the first 24 h of declaration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: When is the McGregor vs Makhachev fight officially scheduled?

A: UFC has confirmed the bout for UFC 300 (October 2025) at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.

Q2: Will McGregor have enough time to safely add weight for a welterweight title run?

A: Yes. The outlined 12‑week hypertrophy program allows a 6-8 lb lean‑mass increase while preserving speed, as demonstrated by past fighters who successfully moved up (e.g., Israel Adesanya).

Q3: How does the fight‑style clash affect betting odds?

A: Early sportsbooks list Makhachev -150 vs McGregor +130, reflecting McGregor’s striking edge but accounting for his recent weight‑cut challenges.

Q4: What are the key metrics UFC will use to determine McGregor’s eligibility for a welterweight title shot?

  • Wins in the top‑5 welterweight rankings.
  • Finish rate (KO/TKO) ≥ 70 % in the first three welterweight fights.
  • Marketability metrics (PPV buys, social‑media reach).

Q5: Could McGregor’s fight with Makhachev be a “catch‑weight” bout?

A: The UFC has confirmed a standard lightweight limit (155 lb); no catch‑weight is planned.


All statistics and timelines are current as of 2025‑12‑06. Sources include official UFC press releases, fighter profiles on Sherdog, and industry PPV analytics.

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