Aljamain Sterling has a perplexing pick for who he believes should be Conor McGregor's UFC comeback opponent
10/27/2024 06:52 PM
Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has a perplexing pick for who he believes should be Conor McGregor’s UFC comeback opponent.
McGregor hasn’t competed inside the UFC Octagon since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. He was scheduled to headline UFC 303 against Michael Chandler before withdrawing due to a toe injury.
Several top names have been proposed for McGregor’s targeted comeback, including a re-booking with Chandler and a potential clash with surging lightweight Dan Hooker. McGregor revealed a possible February clash with Hooker during a recent exclusive interview with Bloody Elbow.
But Sterling, who is on the cusp of a potential featherweight title shot, wouldn’t mind McGregor skipping the line for a ‘money fight’ with the division’s champ.
Aljamain Sterling tabs Ilia Topuria as his desired return opponent for Conor McGregor
In a recent post to X, Sterling pitched an Ilia Topuria vs. McGregor super fight.
“Hear me out….. Topuria vs. McGregor. Is there a bigger money fight?” Sterling proposed.
Topuria sent McGregor a chilling warning in response to a series of social media posts the former double champion made after UFC 308. McGregor promised to knockout Topuria if they ever met in the Octagon.
McGregor hasn’t fought at featherweight since finishing UFC Hall of Famer José Aldo at UFC 194. Since then, he’s competed at lightweight and welterweight, including two instant classics against Nate Diaz.
Conor McGregor targets a 2025 return to the UFC after multi-year hiatus
Topuria defeated Max Holloway in his first UFC featherweight title defense at UFC 308. He captured the belt by finishing Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298.
Topuria and McGregor have been on each other’s nerves for months, stemming from Topuria’s post-fight callout at UFC 298. Since then, the two stars have traded barbs on social media, and things have turned personal in recent weeks.
Despite Topuria’s previous persistence in a McGregor fight, he’s changed his tone in recent weeks, saying he’d likely turn down a fight with the Irish superstar.
While a 145lb showdown between Topuria and McGregor is unlikely, Topuria has teased a move up in weight to meet McGregor in the cage. After giving Holloway his first career knockout loss, Topuria’s star power is through the roof, making a fight with McGregor a potentially lucrative venture.
Many top names are in the running for McGregor’s long-awaited UFC comeback. For Sterling, Topuria is the best option to draw a huge audience for the former two-division champion’s return.
