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Conor McGregor.
- Conor McGregor is in talks over his return to UFC.
- The Irishman says there are a number of fighters who could be his comeback opponent, including Nate Diaz and Tony Ferguson.
- But McGregor can't stop thinking about Floyd Mayweather.
Conor McGregor has said he is in talks with UFC about his long-awaited return to the Octagon.
"I'm currently in negotiations to face my next opponent and we have many options," McGregor said in a YouTube interview with Adam Glyn.
McGregor has not competed in UFC since December 2016, when he added the UFC lightweight championship title to his UFC featherweight belt by beating Eddie Alvarez. He is now sizing up three opponents.
Tony Ferguson, who has a black belt from renowned submissions expert Eddie Bravo at 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu, fights unbeaten wrestler Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 223 in April - and the winner will likely be front of the line to take on McGregor.
Other options include the undefeated Dagistani Nurmagomedov and Nate Diaz, which would be a popular choice with many fight fans after two previous box office bouts between the pair.
Diaz submitted McGregor with a rear naked choke at UFC 196 in March 2016. Later that year, at UFC 202, McGregor secured his revenge with a majority decision victory.
But McGregor also has his eye on Floyd Mayweather
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Floyd Mayweather beat Conor McGregor in their boxing rules bout last year.
McGregor only competed once last year: In a landmark boxing match against Floyd Mayweather. He went down in the 10th round.
Mayweather has since retired with an unblemished boxing record of 50 victories from 50 professional fights but McGregor has challenged the American to a rematch - albeit with mixed martial arts rules.
"Of course the Mayweather fight is there," McGregor said.
Mayweather has posted two cryptic videos on social media this week, both show him stepping into a UFC style Octagon. There is speculation that this could lead to a UFC fight. However, in his most recent video, he is wearing sponsored shorts which suggests it may have been a marketing stunt.
McGregor says it is time Mayweather steps into a UFC Octagon for real. "If it is [for publicity], it will follow him for the rest of his days. I said I would do it [fight with boxing rules], and I stepped up and I done it. His time now. His go now."
When McGregor fought Mayweather, he was complimentary of the veteran's ring IQ and claimed he had skills that would transfer well to UFC - a move, McGregor says, Mayweather has "flirted with."
But, regardless, he still expects to dominate Mayweather. "I'd do as I'd please against him inside the Octagon. If he does do it - I know he's flirting with it - I'd have respect for him. I think it would get his earned respect then if he was to step in. He's engaging, we're engaging, so we'll see."