Former two-weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier has admitted that he thinks there’s a route back to a lightweight title shot for Conor McGregor.

While he may not have won a fight at 155 pounds since UFC 205 in 2016, Conor McGregor is still one of the most talked-about lightweight fighters on the planet. His ability to garner intrigue from across the mixed martial arts sphere continues to make him a threat in the division, if only because he could get a chance to win the belt just by snapping his fingers.

That kind of star power is unrivalled and while there are other opportunities for him to consider at welterweight, UFC 274 proved that there are a whole lot of fighters out there who want a piece of the Irishman.

Daniel Cormier, who has had his run-ins with Conor in the past, admitted that the 33-year-old could easily find his way back to the championship.

“It’s crazy to say it but knowing the ins and outs of this business, if Conor McGregor is truly pushing for a championship fight, as things don’t change, it becomes more and more likely that he could do that. As Charles continues to go through the division, beating Chandler, Dustin, beating Tony Ferguson, now Justin Gaethje, after Islam, who is the next clear guy? 

“He starts to find himself on the shortlist because of his name recognition, not because of merit. Because he’s the biggest star in the game still, he’s like yo, I wanna fight for the belt. Charles Oliveira understands that the money is in the McGregor fight, and he could go to the powers that be and say if there’s a chance for McGregor, I’d like to take it.”

“It sounds crazy, but he could potentially find himself in a title fight.”

The next best contender

The obvious choice to take on Charles Oliveira for the vacant belt is Islam Makhachev. The man who has been dubbed the next Khabib Nurmagomedov continues to tear through everyone put in his way, although UFC president Dana White has insisted that he takes on Beneil Dariush before getting his chance at glory.

That could swing the door back open for McGregor to try and capture the gold for the first time in over five years.