Conor McGregor has been backed to defeat some of the welterweight division's leading stars when he makes his UFC return including Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington and Khamzat Chimaev.
The Irish star is yet to make his return to the octagon after breaking his leg in defeat to Dustin Poirier last year. Several options have been proposed to McGregor after his training comeback including fights at 170lbs where his last victory came against Donald Cerrone.
UFC bantamweight contender Sean O'Malley believes McGregor could take the leading stars in the division out at any weight and any time. "I think [Khamzat Chimaev] vs. [Kamaru Usman] if he's as good as, like, boom, he does beat [Gilbert Burns], that's a very interesting fight," O'Malley said on the BrO'Malley Show.
"There's one man, though, that can take all those motherf***ers out. Conor McGregor. Any weight, any time, any place. I think he beats Kamaru, C**shot and [Colby Covington]."
McGregor has recently made a return to training and posted footage of himself boxing in the warm weather as he ramps up his comeback from injury. The Irishman has suffered a significant recent decline with three of his last four fights ending in defeat, including back-to-back losses against Poirier.
With redemption clearly desired at lightweight McGregor was expected to return at 155lbs but has now shown off a new ripped physique after his injury. Fans have now nicknamed the UFC superstar 'McJacked' and have been impressed with his new size which he displayed while on holiday in the Bahamas.
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Several potential opponents have emerged at 170lbs if McGregor opts to return at a higher weight including Nate Diaz who has set out demands for a trilogy bout. Jorge Masvidal has also opened the door for a potential clash with the UFC later told to put the BMF belt on the line and introduce a catchweight if needed to make the fight.
The sport's pound-for-pound king Usman has now admitted he would also be open to a potential showdown with McGregor. But he believes any potential meeting will be unlikely and blamed the Irishman for an offer not materialising beforehand.
"I gave him a chance. I gave him a chance, he was barking because that's what he do now, he tweet a lot," Usman told Club Shay Shay. "We call him Twitter fingers now. So one time, before I fought [Jorge] Masvidal, he was tweeting a lot. I said, 'Here's your chance. If you pick up the phone right now and called the UFC, they ain't going to say no to you to challenge for the belt.'
"Then, he was quiet. And then the next week he started calling out Anderson Silva, retired fighters, and things like that. "So with him, I don’t know why he isn’t as successful, maybe he has a lot of things going on. He has his demons that he is fighting, but I am not going to kick a man while he is down. So would I fight Conor? The offer is there."
