Published 02/22/2023, 12:01 AM EST
With the filming of TUF 31 having begun, Conor McGregor is well and truly on his way to making his UFC return. The Irish MMA icon last entered the octagon at UFC 264 for his rubber match against Dustin Poirier. However, McGregor had a terrible night at the office as he fractured his left leg at the end of the very first round. The injury cost him the fight and almost two of his fighting years. Now the UFC’s first-ever double champion is ready to make the walk to the octagon again. If tradition has its way, his opponent for the return fight will be his opposing coach on TUF, Michael Chandler.
Interestingly, there were two questions that stood out in all the conversations regarding McGregor’s return fight. One was the opponent, the other was the weight class. While the answer to the former seems almost confirmed, the latter still remains a subject of many debates. McGregor’s recent social media post only seems to have reignited the conversations about the weight class for his return fight.
MMA: UFC 264-McGregor vs Poirier, Jul 10, 2021 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Conor McGregor before fighting against Dustin Poirier during UFC 264 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports, 10.07.2021 21:13:26, 16393846, NPStrans, T-Mobile Arena, Dustin Poirier, MMA, TopPic, Conor McGregor PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xGaryxA.xVasquezx 16393846
During his time off, “The Notorious” put on some serious muscle, sparking rumors of alleged PED use. A parallel conversation saw fans and pros speculate ‘Mystic Mac’ would return to fight at welterweight. The 34-year-old himself said a few months ago that his return would be at the 170 lbs division.
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Now, McGregor has posed with a UFC welterweight for a picture and fans are buzzing about how McGregor could be a welterweight.
Fans react to Conor McGregor posing with Stephen Thompson
In a recent Instagram post, Conor McGregor posed for a picture with UFC welterweight star Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. Both fighters share the same management team- Paradigm Sports- and posed for another picture with their manager Audie Attar.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma)
What caught the attention of the fans, however, was how much McGregor matched up to Thompson in size. This led many of them to believe that the Irishman actually was big enough to try a hand at the 170lbs division.
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Following are some of the comments from the fans:
Motivated Karate Conor is back confirmed
Wtf Conor look massive af
Wtf the size difference is no different at all. Conor is a true welterweight.
Conor definitely looks lighter, most certainly can make 155 again
Oh man is Wonderboy coaching for you on TUF? Don’t toy with my emotions that would be
The best strikers in MMA
damn if Thompson is a 170er connor is actually looking big
WTF Conor bigger than wonderboy??
This would be The fight to make, been sayin this
This fight with chandler has to be at 170 lmfao
What are your thoughts on the McGregor-Thompson picture? Do you think McGregor can succeed at welterweight? Would you like to see a fight between McGregor and Thompson?
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Let us know in the comments below.