Islam Makhachev just vacated the UFC lightweight title — and Conor McGregor didn’t miss a beat. On X, he quickly posted a message that’s short, loud, and, well, very McGregor: “Wow! Real exciting times again in the UFC! Oh yes! Bravo, Dana White! Never a doubt!”
The tone? Triumphant. The timing? Surgical. McGregor, even on the sidelines, knows how to make a shift in the division about himself. And this time, it might not be just noise.
A longtime rivalry reignited, even from a distance
McGregor’s comment wasn’t just about Makhachev. It echoed a much older grudge — the legacy of Khabib Nurmagomedov, who coached Makhachev and dominated McGregor in 2018. The Irishman has taken every chance to needle Khabib’s team since, and this was no exception.
In the same tweet, McGregor dropped tags for nearly all his brands: The Mac Life, Forged Irish Stout, Tidl Sport, even TKO Group. It wasn’t just a comment on the UFC landscape it was also a business move, classic McGregor multitasking.
Makhachev moves on, the division opens up
Islam Makhachev’s decision to leave the lightweight belt behind comes right after Jack Della Maddalena captured the welterweight title at UFC 315. All signs point to a future clash between the two, with Makhachev eyeing a double-champ status. And with his exit, the UFC’s 155-pound picture is wide open again fertile ground for speculation and ambition.
One less champion means one more opportunity. Don’t be surprised if fighters like Arman Tsarukyan, Dustin Poirier, or even someone like Mateusz Gamrot start angling harder for that now-vacant throne.
Meanwhile, McGregor’s next move? Still unclear
McGregor hasn’t fought since his loss to Dustin Poirier in 2021, and his comeback keeps being teased, then delayed. He was expected to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 — until a broken toe pulled him out. Since then, retirement talk has come and gone, with one recent twist: McGregor hinting at a future in Irish politics.
Whether that’s genuine or another headline grab, no one can say. But one thing’s clear: he’s not stepping away from the spotlight — just shifting it.
The lightweight division needs a new face and fast
With Makhachev gone, the belt is up for grabs. The UFC might use this to build a tournament, or set up an interim title fight to stir interest. Either way, McGregor’s tweet wasn’t just noise — it’s a signal. He sees the opportunity. And when McGregor sees opportunity, he rarely stays quiet for long.
Now, whether he fights again or not? That part’s still just smoke.
