Though we haven’t seen Conor McGregor compete in the Octagon since October last year, all signs seem to point to a return to the cage for the former double-champion.
Since his defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 last year, the Dubliner has been linked to fighting a string of different opponents, including a rematches against UFC lightweight king Khabib, former interim lightweight champ Dustin Poirier, and current UFC featherweight titleholder Max Holloway.
But none of those names feature in the mind of McGregor’s long-time coach John Kavanagh.
Instead, Kavanagh would like to see McGregor begin his road to regular competition against former UFC lightweight champ Frankie Edgar.
“I think him [McGregor] and Frankie Edgar would be a great fight,” Kavanagh told The Mac Life. [H/T MMAMania]
“I think it was in the works when Conor was kind of going on that featherweight tear. He’s an ex-champion, great fighter. Yeah, if it was me, I would love to see the Frankie Edgar fight this year if possible. And then go on another run in 2020.”
Though Edgar was once the man who held gold at 155 pounds, it’s unclear where his future lies in the UFC’s weight classes.
An undersized lightweight, Edgar moved down to featherweight and chased the belt there for a good few years to no avail.
It was widely speculated Edgar was going to move down yet another weight class – this time bantamweight – following a disappointing title fight loss to the aforementioned Holloway at UFC 240 in July.
“Frankie has a style that’s very difficult to deal with,” Kavanagh added.
“But it’s also one we’re somewhat familiar with. Even from his first fight with [Marcus] Brimage. This small, fast guy, quick hands, wrestling. But Frankie’s just been in there with everybody. World champion, beaten legends like B.J. Penn and so on.
“I just think that’s a great match for the fans and for me. I’d love to see it.”
Both men have previously stated their intentions to fight one another. Let’s see what unfolds next.
