Post UFC 229: 5 Conor McGregor Fights That Have To Happen

UFC 229 is in the books and the headline attraction of Conor McGregor versus Khabib Nurmagomedov has thrilled and shocked the world in equal measure.

Khabib's terrific submission victory was savoured by MMA purists whereas his post-fight antics has stunned everybody, fans or not.

Lost in all the frenzied chaos of the post-fight brawl that ensued after Khabib's victory was the fact that the Irishman's return to the Octagon was an unhappy one.

McGregor displayed considerable ring rust and a distinct lack of pace in his performance and quite frankly looked a shadow of the performer that last graced the Octagon in 2016.

It's perfectly possible of course that McGregor was made to look so ordinary by the sheer masterclass of a performance by Khabib which ensured "Notorious" could not keep a vertical base long enough to inflict his signature strikes.

However, McGregor will be back. He is far from done in UFC and he will be back in the Octagon keen to return to the winning trail.

There are some distinct possibilities and dream match-ups that McGregor could conceivably compete in within the next 12-18 months inside the Octagon.

This slideshow counts down five of the most enticing fights available to McGregor.

Conor McGregor - Potentially has some exciting fights in his future

#5 BJ Penn

BJ Penn - Set to return to the Octagon at UFC 232

UFC Hall of Famer, BJ Penn is set to make another return to the Octagon at UFC 232 on December 29, 2018.

Penn's last three bouts have all been contested as a Featherweight; the division in which Conor McGregor made his name and is a former titleholder.

Penn vs McGregor on paper is a mega box office attraction which should yield a considerable buy-rate.

However, the one drawback with that fight is the fact that Penn in 2018 is a shadow of the performer that made him a legend, having lost all of his most recent five fights.

Penn has not won an MMA fight since November 2010 and would likely be over-matched by the younger McGregor.

However, should Penn make his comeback a successful one, with a victory versus his December opponent, Ryan Hall, then a McGregor fight would have very real mainstream appeal and could be a fascinating encounter.

#4 Tony Ferguson

Tony Ferguson - Top-ranked Lightweight contender

Tony Ferguson established himself as Khabib's next challenger for the Lightweight crown with an impressive victory on the UFC 229 undercard over Anthony Pettis.

The 34-year-old could well find himself competing for the Interim Lightweight Championship should Khabib Nurmagomedov be stripped of the title following the chaotic brawl he instigated following the UFC 229 headliner.

Should that Interim bout occur, it would most likely be opposite Conor McGregor.

However, a bout versus Ferguson would be almost as imposing of a collision as that of Khabib, with Ferguson boasting an impressive winning streak of his own, having not lost since May of 2012 and being undefeated in 11 fights.

One of the finest competitors in the Lightweight division's history would surely love to get his hands on the Lightweight Championship, having previously reigned as Interim Champion.

A well-rounded fighter, with considerable striking and submission skills, Ferguson would be a formidable and hugely entertaining foe for "Notorious."

#3 Nate Diaz

Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor have clashed twice before

Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz know all about each other.

The pair squared off in two classic encounters at UFC 196 and 202 in 2016, in which both fighters won one match apiece. A rubber match would considerable appeal for everyone in MMA.

The McGregor-Diaz rematch at UFC 202 is the highest drawing UFC pay per view event of all time, with an incredible 1.65 million buys and a final encounter could well surpass it at the box office.

The heavy hitters match up well and deliver entertainment in spades. Diaz is set to return to the Octagon himself, also after a two-year absence to compete against Dustin Poirier.

This is a highly anticipated fight that is very likely to happen.

#2 Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khabib won a bad-tempered clash with McGregor at UFC 229

The re-match has to happen, right?

When and where is the more difficult question to answer. There is a strong possibility that Khabib will be suspended following the chaotic brawl he instigated at the conclusion of his victory over Conor McGregor in the main event of UFC 229.

However, McGregor has already declared his interest in another fight with Khabib and even if Khabib is less willing, the likelihood is money will talk in this situation.

Should Khabib be suspended, there is a legitimate chance that McGregor may become the Interim Lightweight title holder which would set up a blockbuster re-match between the two with the gold on the line and the champion/challenger roles reversed.

This rather inevitably is destined to be a wild encounter that surely will occur sooner rather than later.

#1 George St. Pierre

The former Welterweight and Middleweight Champion, George St. Pierre has tasted defeat just twice in his MMA career and has not lost since 2007, 11 years ago.

One of the great draws in UFC history, GSP versus Conor McGregor would most likely be the greatest drawing UFC pay per view in history.

Adept at competing in different weight classes, GSP would likely have little issue cutting weight to face McGregor at Lightweight.

Should a title be on the line, then that bout would be even more attractive as a proposition.

GSP has already gone on record to say he would like to face McGregor and "Notorious" would surely willingly accept the challenge.

The biggest marquee match UFC can possibly promote today is GSP versus McGregor. It may not be long before the dream becomes a reality.