Conor McGregor stunned the world when he took out UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo, a man who hadn’t lost since 2005, in 13 seconds with a perfectly placed left hand. McGregor winning wasn’t a shock; he had proved he was a legitimate contender by knocking out Chad Mendes in his previous bout. It was the dominating and quick fashion with which he dispatched him that was a stunner.
There are myriad paths McGregor, now arguably the UFC’s top star, can go in. Here are the three best paths.
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Jose Aldo (25-2)
Aldo was humiliated by McGregor after months and months of trash talk from the Irish challenger. While Aldo’s pride was absolutely bruised, the shot was so perfect, and the fight so brief, that it isn’t out of the question to run it back. One punch can’t erase the accomplishments Aldo has achieved, nor can it wipe out the 18-fight winning streak he owned entering the Octagon.
Aside from Aldo, there is only one other challenger that poses a realistic threat to McGregor at this point, so a rematch with Aldo that hopefully lasts longer is likely.
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Frankie Edgar (20-4)
Edgar is one of the most underrated fighters in the UFC, and he provides a perfect narrative as an underdog. He had lost three straight fights in 2012 and 2013 before rebounding and rattling off five straight victories. He defeated Chad Mendes on Friday, and made himself the No. 1 contender.
He’s shown versatility in his five wins, winning two fights by knockout, two by decision, and one by submission. Size would be a big disadvantage for Edgar vs. McGregor, but that is part of what makes him the ultimate scrappy underdog.
Rafael dos Anjos/Donald Cerrone
Cerrone and dos Anjos will face off this Saturday for the UFC lightweight championship, and the winner could find themselves up against “Notorious” soon. McGregor is a large featherweight, and he openly addressed the possibility of moving up in weight.
“We’ve got some options, and some decisions to make,” McGregor said. “But most certainly I’m looking to replicate what I achieved in my previous promotion.” He is referencing holding multiple belts at the same time. That’s right, McGregor wants to be a simultaneous two-division champ.
“If I go to that lightweight division, there’s no way in hell that I’m vacating my belt. That’s not happening. There’ll be a belt on one shoulder, and a belt on the other shoulder.”
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