5 UFC welterweights Conor McGregor can beat if he returns to the 170-lbs division

#2. Conor McGregor vs. Jorge Masvidal

UFC Fight Night Till v Masvidal UFC 263: Adesanya v Vettori 2

Possibly the most contentious pick on this list is a potential matchup between Conor McGregor and Jorge Masvidal. 'Gamebred' is considered one of the best strikers at 170-lbs.

However, there is a case to be made in favor of McGregor. Jorge Masvidal revels in the striking realms of MMA. He is a boxer, first and foremost, and rarely utiles low leg kicks. As of late, Conor McGregor's two biggest weaknesses have been his ground game and possibly compromised shins.

If Masvidal went out and competed in a striking war with McGregor, it would be the style of fight that the Irishman embraces. That is not to say he would be guaranteed a victory by any means, but McGregor is a lethal striker who would certainly fancy his chances at the very least.

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#1. Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz 3

Nate Diaz.

The fight that fans have been calling out forever since the resolution of UFC 202. Both Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz have wins over the other on their record. Both men are also currently on losing streaks, so it would really appear to be a fight that makes sense to book right now.

Fans will always pay to watch Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz compete against each other. The pre-fight trash talk, in-cage combat, and post-fight respect make this matchup compelling for hardcore and casual MMA fans.

What likely makes the fight compelling for Conor McGregor, however, is the fact that he has already defeated Diaz. There will also be less size discrepancy between them compared to any other fight on this list. Diaz is a former lightweight and certainly has an undersized physique compared to the welterweight top 10.

McGregor has repeatedly stated that he needs to finish the trilogy with Diaz, and now would be the perfect time to do so.

UFC 202: Diaz v McGregor 2