A Conor McGregor fight is always a seismic event in the combat sports world, and the prospect of him facing the dominant lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, has ignited the imaginations of fans worldwide.
Availability and Timing for Fighters One of the foremost issues with getting McGregor to schedule his fight against Islam Makhachev revolves around timing. As we learned around mid-February 2025, McGregor has been concentrating on promoting his role in the upcoming remake of "Road House," which has severely limited his training and fight schedule.
UFC CEO Dana White has indicated that McGregor will be able to return to full-time training only following the film's release on March 21, 2025. This delay could definitely push an possible fight date sometime far into the future.
Islam Makhachev would like to book his next fight quickly and not wait for the availability of Conor McGregor. He is also likely to fight soon as he is looking for other challengers in case McGregor does not play ball.
Weight Class Bargaining If one were to see the magnitude of this fight, one of the most significant issues is the weight class upon which this fight is going to take place. Conor McGregor has fought at lightweight (155 lbs) almost all his career but has also done time at welterweight (170 lbs).
Market Appeal and Fan Interest MMA fights with Conor McGregor at the other end of the corner will always be news, thanks to his celebrity status and the rising stature of Islamist Makhachev as a champion. There would be a question as far as the stylistic nature would create any excite in it. Fans want a McGregor versus Chandler or Justin Gaethje exchange.
Financial Perspective Conor McGregor is known for his incredible purse, due to his celebrity status and drawing power. He will perhaps lead to serious financial implications for the UFC as far as fighter pay and event promotion costs are concerned.
Other Contenders Waiting for Title Shot Moreover, there are some contenders in the division who are gunning for fights with Islam Makhachev, waiting to challenge for the title. Fighters such as Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, Dan Hooker, and Beneil Dariush are putting forth their names as potential candidates to take on Makhachev for the title.