Conor McGregor offered shock UFC title fight and grudge match with Khabib protege Makhachev ahead of return

CONOR MCGREGOR has been offered a shock crack at the UFC lightweight title – despite not winning in the weight class in over SIX years.

The Notorious is set to return to the octagon later this year against three-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler.

Conor McGregor is gearing up to return to the UFCSPORTSFILE

INSTAGRAM@UFCThe Notorious will face Michael Chandler in his eagerly-anticipated comeback fight[/caption]

GETTYLightweight king Islam Makhachev is willing to give the Irishman a shock title shot[/caption]

Victory over the UFC fan favourite would breathe new life into his career, which is at a crucial point following back-to-back losses to Dustin Poirier.

And it would go some way to enticing lightweight king Islam Makhachev – the protege of McGregor’s bitter rival Khabib Nurmagomedov – to give the Irishman the chance to become a three-time champ.

The Russian told BT Sport: “He does not deserve [a title shot] if he beats Chandler or some of the guys.

“But, if UFC want, why not? Make some good money. Let’s go.”

McGregor, 34, has lost three of his last five octagon outings – with his last victory at lightweight taking place in November 2016.

And Makhachev believes the UFC’s poster boy handpicked Chandler – who has also lost three of his last five – to try to get his mojo back.

The Dagestani destroyer said: “Conor chose Chandler.

“Chandler lost on purpose because if he beat a couple of guys it was never going to happen, versus McGregor.

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“Of course [he lost on purpose]. He fights like crazy, like he comes from the streets.

“That’s why they make the fight.”

Former two-division champion McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

But he’ll return to action after coaching season 31 of the Ultimate Fighter against Chandler.

But the date for their mammoth showdown hasn’t been finalised as McGregor is currently NOT in the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s testing pool.

The Dubliner must be in the pool for a minimum of six months before he’s eligible to compete, meaning October is currently the earliest he can return.

And Mystic Mac has predicted he’ll “slice” through Chandler like a knife butter when they do eventually throw down.

He told The Mac Life: “I think I’m just going to slice through him.

“I think I’m a little too slicy for him than anyone else he’s fought.

“A little too snappy and whippy. I think I’ll slice through him.”