Conor McGregor attacking Eddie Alvarez (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

There’s been a lot of speculation and talk regarding a third bout between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor in recent weeks, but it sounds like the latter could be open to other options as well.

Following McGregor’s stoppage loss to Floyd Mayweather last month, many have predicted that a rubber match between the Irish star and Diaz will be next. Recently McGregor’s head coach, John Kavanagh, relayed he’d like to see that fight take place on St. Patrick’s Day, 2018.

Next Saturday, at UFC 216, Tony Ferguson will face Kevin Lee for an interim lightweight title. During a Q& A in Glasgow, Scotland on Friday, McGregor had this to say about that fight, and the prospect of facing the winner (quote via MMA Fighting):

“An option; there’s an interim belt on the line right now – that’s an option,” McGregor said.

“I’m just going to put a few options out there and see what bounces back. It’s got to excite me, let me see what these two fools do this weekend. We’ll see what the energy is like.”

McGregor also mentioned that Diaz is an option for his next bout, and in addition, he said this about #1 contender, Khabib Nurmagomedov:

“Obviously, Khabib in Russia would be a great one. It would be a crazy one. We’ll see what happens. I’ll need to see him make weight though. There’s no way I’m going over there and he’s not making weight. I need assurance.”

The lightweight champion hasn’t competed in the Octagon since last November, when McGregor stopped Eddie Alvarez to win the 155 belt.