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Despite Wanting Gaethje, Odds Say Conor McGregor’s Next Opponent Will Be Nate Diaz

Dylan Bowker

by Dylan Bowker in Mixed Martial Arts News

Updated May 20, 2020 · 2:03 PM PDT

Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor's next fight will most likely be the trilogy vs Nate Diaz. Photo from Andrius (Flickr)
  • Odds for Conor McGregor’s next potential opponent have been released
  • Nate Diaz is the favorite to be his next fight at +250, with Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje the other top contenders
  • Scroll below for the fighter options, my analysis, and my prediction on McGregor’s next adversary

Conor McGregor’s next fight is highly anticipated, and now you can bet on who his potential opponent may be. It could be in one of two weight divisions – lightweight or welterweight – with possible rematches abound.

After McGregor’s emphatic win over Donald Cowboy Cerrone in less than 60 seconds, many were already thinking of his next prize fight.

Some things changed and some things remained the same.

Odds on Conor McGregor’s Opponent in Next Fight

Fighter Odds
Nate Diaz +250
Khabib Nurmagomedov +300
Justin Gaethje +450
Tony Ferguson +500
Jorge Masvidal +600
Dustin Poirier +650

Odds taken May 20th

A similar level of speculation among oddsmakers has surrounded Justin Gaethje and Khabib Nurmagomedov. While Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal have switched places.

In the mid-January odds, Nate was +1000 and now sits at +250 as the next opponent for Conor. Conversely, Masvidal went from -200 in January to +600.

Diaz and McGregor’s rubber match has a lot of history going into it. Diaz submitted McGregor in their first fight with McGregor earning a decision win in the sequel. A summer trilogy on Fight Island seems much likelier considering some recent circumstances.

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Part of that recent circumstance is rooted in the main event outcome of UFC 249. Justin Gaethje’s drubbing of Tony Ferguson cleared a path for Khabib vs Gaethje for the undisputed title.

This is a fight that fans very much want to see, and creates an opportune time for Diaz vs McGregor III.

Also, the unclear timeline for this lightweight title bout is beneficial,  it may happen in July or September (Fall seemingly likelier) but things aren’t solidified as of yet.

Stockton vs Ireland

The nebulous nature of when the blockbuster bout will go down could cause UFC to finally pull their rubber match card with Nate and Conor.

If McGregor’s social media is any indication, he has mapped some things out. The former feather and lightweight champ tweeted “See You in July”.

He also is looking to begin a “division demolition job” at lightweight before switching divisions. The Irishman played matchmaker with a couple of the options on the list, likely eliminating them from consideration altogether.

The aforementioned Gaethje vs Ferguson bout also threw cold watch on Justin fighting Conor this summer. Many were speculating that McGregor vs Gaethje would be going down in July. A fight that the Irish pugilist was favored in by sportsbooks.

Diaz has been on McGregor’s mind since his last win at UFC 246 in January, after which he tweeted “Let’s Go Nathan, Let’s go brother! Number three, it’s always here, so, we’re right here Nathan” in a shot directed to his Californian rival.

With all the aforementioned factors, the landscape has never been more ideal for this fight. It has always been discussed as that bout that never had to be rushed and it would always be in the promotions back pocket. Now seems like the time the organization will finally pull the proverbial trigger on booking this bout.

 Pick: Nate Diaz (+250)

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