Upcoming Match-ups

Nate Diaz Is the Favorite to Fight Conor McGregor Next, Not Cerrone

Cole Shelton

by Cole Shelton in Mixed Martial Arts News

Updated Apr 21, 2020 · 9:42 AM PDT

Conor McGregor at press conference
Dana White has said he wants Conor McGregor back for the summer of 2019. Photo by Andrius Petrucenia (Flickr).
  • Does Conor McGregor fight again?
  • Is the trilogy fight against Nate Diaz likely?
  • Could McGregor box again?

Conor McGregor is no doubt the biggest star in MMA today. The Irishmen returned to the Octagon in October at UFC 229 to face Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title. Ultimately, Nurmagomedov submitted McGregor in the fourth round to defend his belt and add another loss to McGregor’s record.

Now, the question remains of what is next for McGregor? Many believe a fight against Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone makes too much sense not to happen. While McGregor no doubt wants an immediate rematch against Nurmagomedov. As well, the trilogy fight against Nate Diaz is always lingering.

YouTube video

The Diaz fight is always logical given the fact it is a huge money fight, as well it doesn’t tie up any division. The two could fight at either welterweight or lightweight and be the main event of a pay-per-view and do over a million buys. Plus, McGregor needs to get back in the win column if he wants a rematch against Nurmagomedov, and fighting Diaz gives him a good chance to do so.

According to oddsmakers they believe Diaz is the favorite for McGregor’s next fight with odds being at +150.

Odds on Who Conor McGregor Fights Next

Fighter Odds
Nate Diaz +150
Tony Ferguson +200
Khabib Nurmagomedov +350
Dustin Poirier +900
Georges St-Pierre +1000
Anderson Silva +1000
Floyd Mayweather +5000

Odds as of 2/8.

YouTube video

The fight that would be atop of my list would be Cerrone.

However, given he is not on the list, the next logical fight would be against Nurmagomedov. There is no doubt McGregor wants the rematch against Nurmagomedov and could wait it out until he gets another title shot.

YouTube video

Frankly, UFC President Dana White has come out and said Nate Diaz is not fighting anymore, and Georges St-Pierre appears to be retired.

Plus, Tony Ferguson seems like the next opponent for Nurmagomedov or for an interim title fight against Dustin Poirier. As well, a fight against Anderson Silva and Floyd Mayweather doesn’t make sense at all, for different reasons.

In the end, the fight that makes the most sense is a fight against Cerrone or the rematch against Nurmagomedov.

Author Image