Conor McGregor Sets Sights on Islam Makhachev for Potential UFC Welterweight Title Fight
Conor McGregor, the former UFC double champion, has expressed interest in facing newly crowned UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev. Makhachev’s dominant wrestling performance against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 earned him a spot among the UFC’s two-division champions. McGregor, currently preparing for his highly anticipated UFC return, has been hitting the gym regularly and sharing training clips on social media to build hype around his comeback.
McGregor and Michael Chandler, his potential opponent, have confirmed that they will be fighting on the UFC White House card next year, although the promotion has yet to officially announce the matchup. The two fighters previously served as opposing head coaches on “The Ultimate Fighter 31” in 2023 and were scheduled to fight at UFC 303 before McGregor withdrew due to a toe injury. In a recent interview with Bloody Elbow, McGregor stated, “I for sure want a crack at that 170-pound belt to go for the triple crown. It would be a good fight. Southpaw vs Southpaw.”
Despite his past feud with Team Khabib, McGregor has praised Makhachev’s recent performance, saying, “It was a good performance out of [Islam]. Fair play to him, he had the courage to go up. I’m excited for it.” McGregor’s interest in a potential fight against Makhachev has sparked excitement among fans, with many eager to see the two fighters face off in the Octagon.
UFC White House Confirmation Expected by February 2026
According to UFC CEO Dana White, the promotion will begin planning the White House 2026 card in February 2026. McGregor has also confirmed this timeline, stating, “The White House is on. We’re just waiting for a full confirmation. I assume around February, they’ll come reaching out and we’ll go into contract negotiations and matchmaking orders, that’s what they say. So I’m just staying ready in the gym, two times a day.” As the UFC prepares for its upcoming events, fans can stream every fight live with a Paramount+ subscription, starting in January 2026.
With McGregor’s return to the UFC imminent, fans are eagerly anticipating his next move. Will he face Michael Chandler on the UFC White House card, or will he set his sights on a title fight against Islam Makhachev? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – Conor McGregor’s return to the Octagon will be highly anticipated and closely watched by fans around the world.
