Conor McGregor’s longtime coach, John Kavanagh, says the fighter’s days at lightweight are effectively over and that he hopes McGregor fights again before the end of 2026 rather than waiting until the April 2027 date already discussed with the UFC.
Kavanagh spoke to mixedmartialarts.com ahead of McGregor’s UFC 329 return against Max Holloway on Saturday.
You’re going to have to do something really big to get Conor at 155 again. 170 is a comfortable cut for him now and he’s got the frame for it. He certainly has the strength for it. He’s always had an unusual — he’s got that orangutan reach, so he’s comfortable at that. He can tie his shoelaces without bending down, you know?
Kavanagh confirmed the preference for McGregor to fight again before the year is out.
I’d love to see him fight again in 2026.
McGregor has competed three times at welterweight in the UFC, splitting his series with Nate Diaz in 2016 and stopping Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds at UFC 246 in January 2020, which remains his last win. His past two outings at lightweight ended in defeat to Dustin Poirier, and the trilogy bout ended with a leg break that began his extended absence from the sport.
McGregor has indicated the last fight on his current UFC contract is earmarked for April 2027.
