Conor McGregor given route to shock UFC title fight as he gears up for summer return nearly two years after leg break

CONOR McGREGOR could be given a shock route back to the UFC title by Leon Edwards.

McGregor, 34, is braced for a return to the octagon this summer having spent the whole of 2022 sidelined.

@TheNotoriousMMAConor McGregor in training for his UFC return[/caption]

And he watched on as Paradigm Management stable-mate Edwards knocked out Kamaru Usman to win the welterweight crown with a brutal kick.

With the pair under the same management umbrella, it could potentially set up a massive title fight between them.

Edwards told talkSPORT: “If Conor comes back and gets a good win at welterweight, then it’s a fight I’d more than welcome.

“It would be a massive fight for Europe, a massive fight for everyone.

“Let him come back, get a good win at welterweight and then we can talk from there.”

McGregor’s last fight was in July 2021, when he broke his leg in round one of this lightweight trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier, 34.

And he teased coming back up at welterweight, where he had a pair of bouts with Nate Diaz, 37, and a 40 second knockout over Donald Cerrone, 39.

It would see a potential title shot against Edwards, 31, move one step closer.

But first the British star defends the belt he won against Usman, 35, in a trilogy decider of their own on March 18 in London.

Edwards said: “It feels amazing. This is what most kids dream of in MMA – to headline a hometown show, especially being the champion.

“It’s a great opportunity and I’m very excited. I would’ve loved Villa Park to happen, but back home is back home.

“To have it at the O2, it’s a massive, iconic venue in the UK

“Hopefully one day we can get back to Birmingham and have Villa Park, but it’s the O2 now and I can’t wait for fight night.”

Leon Edwards knocked out Kamaru Usman with a head kickGetty