Conor McGregor’s top two next fights are ‘already off the table’ after defeat

Conor McGregor may have to return to the drawing board as the UFC star looks for his next opponent.

McGregor was beaten by Dustin Poirier in his first fight in a year, the Diamond exacting revenge on their 2014 bout.

Plenty was being said of McGregor’s next fight before he had stepped foot back in the Octagon against Poirier.

And having tasted defeat on Saturday night, it could mean two potential bouts are already off the table for the Notorious.

While a trilogy with Poirier is certainly possible, it seems McGregor will not be meeting Khabib Nurmagomedov again anytime soon.

Khabib is the UFC lightweight champion, though had announced his retirement after beating Justin Gaethje at the end of 2020.

There are thoughts the champ could return to the Octagon with a rematch with McGregor having initially been talked about.

Khabib beat McGregor in 2018 though is not expected to want to face the No. 4 contender with Gaethje, Poirier and Charles Oliveira all ranked higher than the Irishman.

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McGregor had also been linked with a boxing match with Manny Pacquiao, having previously stepped into the ring to take on Floyd Mayweather in August 2017.

Though that now seems an unlikely next step for McGregor with boxing sensation Ryan Garcia announcing he will take on Pacquiao.

Garcia, 22, is set to take on the WBA welterweight champion, announcing on Sunday that the fight was set.

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Alongside a poster of the pair, Garcia wrote: "A dream turned reality. It’s an honour to share the Ring with @mannypacquiao.

"I will always respect what you did in and out the ring. Here’s to the best Man Winning."

All in all, it leaves McGregor scratching his head over his next options.

The Poirier trilogy looks most likely, though there has also been talk of a match-up with YouTube star Jake Paul.

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