After Beating Cowboy, Odds Say McGregor’s Next Opponent Will Be Jorge Masvidal

• Conor McGregor returned to the Octagon in a big way with a 40 second TKO win over Donald Cerrone
• Jorge Masvidal is favored to be McGregor’s next opponent
• McGregor’s rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov likely won’t happen until later this year

Conor McGregor made his triumphant return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC 246 on Jan. 18. There, he was fighting for the first time in 15 months and looking for his first win since 2016 and did just that as he knocked out Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds.

HE. IS. BACK.

🇮🇪 @TheNotoriousMMA CLOSES THE SHOW EARLY! WOW! #UFC246 pic.twitter.com/0B0NXbi6pY

— UFC (@ufc) January 19, 2020

It was a dominating performance as Cerrone didn’t land a single significant strike. Immediately after the fight, many wondered, what would be next for McGregor. There are a ton of options like Jorge Masvidal, Justin Gaethje, or perhaps a rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov. But, according to the sportsbooks, they favor Masvidal being the Irishman’s next opponent in 2020.

Conor McGregor’s Next Opponent in 2020

All odds taken Jan. 19.

Is McGregor Ready For Masvidal?

Conor McGregor vs. Jorge Masvidal is a fight many fans want to see, but not one UFC president Dana White wants. He has been adamant Masvidal is too big for the Irishman and he has no interest in booking the fight.

Eyes on the prize? 👀@GamebredFighter #UFC246 pic.twitter.com/B0mHGJvUvi

— UFC (@ufc) January 19, 2020

Yet, McGregor had a very impressive performance at UFC 246. He looked good at welterweight and in his previous fight at 170 pounds, against Nate Diaz, he didn’t look out of place and had success there, too. So, the Irishman is ready for Masvidal but whether or not the promotion makes the fight is to be seen.

Does McGregor Get Another Fight Before The Belt?

Dana White has said he wants to book Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov 2, but that won’t happen right away since the Russian is scheduled to fight Tony Ferguson in April.

McGregor said he wants to be active, and it seems likely he will get another fight before fighting for the undisputed title. So, I think it is likely Conor McGregor will have at least one more fight before his rematch with Nurmagomedov.

Who Will Be McGregor’s Next Opponent?

Before the fight happened, I thought Conor McGregor’s best weight class is 155 and I didn’t like the potential Jorge Masvidal fight. Yet, that has completely changed and I think it’s likely Masvidal is next McGregor’s next opponent.

Dana White on a McGregor rematch with Khabib: "It will be the biggest fight in MMA history, it will break all records." pic.twitter.com/gnOlUN1N2n

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) January 19, 2020

Look, even though Dana White wants the Nurmagomedov rematch after he fights Ferguson, Nurmagomedov is Muslim and celebrates Ramadan and won’t fight until at least September. So, there’s no way McGregor waits until September or October. Instead, he can fight Masvidal for the BMF belt in June or July and then get the rematch with Nurmagomedov later this year.

Pick: Jorge Masvidal (-200)

Conor McGregor vs. Jorge Masvidal Odds

How Will The Line Change?

To no surprise, online sportsbooks have already released the line for Conor McGregor vs. Jorge Masvidal, and “Gamebred” is the betting favorite.

The return is complete. pic.twitter.com/qBIvVFnpxq

— UFC (@ufc) January 19, 2020

I am not surprised to see the line open with Masvidal as the favorite, but I believe if this fight happens, the line will tighten up because when McGregor fights, the public bets heavy on the Irishman and as an underdog the betting on McGregor will only increase.

In the end, I suspect this line to be around -110 each, so depending who you like, you make your bet now or wait until the public starts betting on Conor McGregor.