Fans have jokingly suggested Conor McGregor could return to the UFC as a heavyweight after he showed of his ripped physique.
McGregor is currently working through his recovery plan as he looks to return from a broken leg injury suffered against Dustin Poirier.
The Irish star has posted photos at regular intervals during his comeback mission where he has been spotted with a much more muscular physique.
His loyal army of followers have now joked he could return to the UFC's heaviest division despite currently fighting in the lightweight category.
One fan commented on his Instagram post : "Undisputed UFC heavyweight champion in 2022, trust me!"
Another wrote : "Heavyweight McGregor!" while another supporter also said : "You look like a heavyweight now champ."
McGregor will instead return with his sights set on another tilt at the lightweight title.
He has slid down to No.9 in the lightweight rankings after three defeats in his last four fights including a submission defeat to bitter rival Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Although McGregor's activity has been relatively limited after his defeat to Nurmagomedov, he has fought twice this year, suffering back-to-back losses to Poirier.
The 33-year-old has returned to light-boxing training in a bid to get fit again while showing off his new physique in a plan to make the "greatest comeback ever".
McGregor has fought at multiple weights during his career including when he became featherweight world champion and at welterweight largely against Nate Diaz.
But the Irishman has even hinted at a new leap to middleweight which could be a reason for his muscular tone.
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“What else can I do? I just have to take it day by day, you know what I mean? I’m looking forward to getting back in," McGregor revealed on his Instagram Live.
"You know, I’m watching all these little fools talking and that, little middleweights they are, little former middleweights.
"Yeah, Kelvin Gastelum is five-foot-nine, 71-inch reach. I’m actually bigger, physically set than Kelvin. And he’s fighting up at middleweight.
"I’m gonna just keep going up, you know what I mean? I don’t know what weight I am now, but I’m about to see what I am at the scales. And then just go from there, day by day.”
McGregor has two fights remaining on his current deal with the UFC and he is set to demand a world title shot, against the winner of Poirier's showdown with champion Charles Oliveira.
And his coach John Kavanagh has emphasised the former champion's desire to make an illustrious return and even joked that his charge could fight at 185lb.
"He is coming back to Ireland and will be back on the mats with me in the next couple of weeks," he told Submission Radio.
"He is doing a lot of strength training at the moment, the guy is jacked I think he will be coming back as a middleweight!
"He is enthusiastic, excited and upbeat to come back in 2022 and although I am not sure when he will come back I know he will be back."
