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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Robert Hynes

Conor McGregor UFC fight news: How Usman vs Masvidal could affect The Notorious

It is now a month since Conor McGregor announced his retirement from MMA - for the third time in four years.

Speculation has been rife ever since if the Dubliner really has hung up his gloves or if we will see him in the Octagon again.

The Notorious has continued to train in recent weeks and was pictured working out with Phil Sutcliffe at Crumlin Boxing Club on Father's Day.

In announcing his retirement, McGregor voiced his frustrations at not being offered the chance to fight Justin Gaethje this summer.

The American defeated Tony Ferguson in May and is now set to face Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title later this year.

Jorge Masvidal will challenge Kamaru Usman for the welterweight belt this weekend after accepting the fight on just six days notice following Gilbert Burns' positive Covid-19 test.

McGregor was last seen fighting at welterweight when destroying Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds back in January and there had been speculation that he could continue at 170lbs after that bout.

Usman offered McGregor a title shot earlier this year, but Dana White ruled out the bout happening next for the Nigerian.

The Dubliner has also been linked to facing Masvidal on numerous occasions and White previously stated that it would be an "interesting" fight.

Perhaps most interesting are Burns' comments following his positive test, claiming that the welterweight division will turn into a "circus" if Masvidal wins.

The Brazilian told ESPN: "If Masvidal wins, things are gonna get crazy. It’s gonna be a circus in that division.

Conor McGregor (©INPHO/Tom Hogan)

“I think he’s gonna fight Conor [McGregor], or maybe Nate Diaz.

"I don’t think the division is gonna run correctly, with the No. 1 and No. 2 guys fighting for the title. He’s gonna make a mess.

"That’s another thing why I want Kamaru to win, too. I think I will be next. But, if Masvidal wins I know it’s gonna be a mess in that division. Things are gonna get crazy."

It's hard to think McGregor really has fought for the last time and the chance of becoming champion at a third weight class might just convince him to get back in the Octagon.

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