Later this year, UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira will put his belt on the line against former interim champion Justin Gaethje at UFC 274. After that though, the lightweight title picture gets very murky. Islam Makhachev appeared to be the front runner for the next title shot after his dominant win over Bobby Green in February, but this past week, UFC President Dana White said that Makhachev will need to fight again to earn a shot, opening the door for a possible Conor McGregor title shot later in the year. It’s a shocking turn of events but one that UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping believes makes sense.

“It’s wild but if you ran the company would you want that to happen?” Bisping said to Joe Rogan on The Joe Rogan Experience. “You probably would, let’s be honest. The reality is, Conor’s best days are long gone, probably. You can’t stay at the top forever.”

McGregor has arguably not been at the top for many years. Though still the biggest star in the sport and a successful business man, McGregor has had a tough go of things inside the cage lately, winning one fight since 2016. Last year, McGregor fought a pair of bouts against Dustin Poirier, getting brutally knocked out in the first and then shattering his leg in the second. But despite his rough run lately, Bisping believes that McGregor stands his best chance of reclaiming the belt against Oliveira.

“I’ll tell you this, if there’s a person that you’d put him against in the top-5 to beat, it would be Charles Oliveira,” Bisping said. “Charles is hittable and Conor can still f***ing hit. He’s fast and Charles is hittable…. I’m just saying, there’s a potential that Conor comes back, beats Charles Oliveira and becomes champion again. That is — I don’t think I can deal with the world if that happens. Oh my god. But it might happen. He’s still got that left hand, he’s still got power and speed.”

McGregor may well get that chance. “Notorious” has nearly recovered from that injury and is already making noise about his return, and the UFC lightweight champion has already shown an interest in the bout. If Oliveira can retain his title against Gaethje, we could be looking at McGregor facing him in the late summer or early fall. That would mark nearly four years since McGregor last fought for a title and over six years since first winning a UFC belt, and while Bisping says he may not be the same fighter he once was, the fact that he’s still getting after it is a testament to McGregor’s love for the game.

“That’s it though, it changes,” Bisping said. “You can say whatever you want and of course he’s gonna say that, and we all say it. ‘I’m still the same guy, I’m still the same fighter.’ No you f***ing ain’t. No you’re not. Your motivation for doing this is gone. You’re doing it now because — and listen, you’ve got to respect this about him — he loves the fight game. I respect that about him, I really do. That’s the only thing that he can’t buy. The guy can buy whatever he wants and he’s buying yachts and this and that, and God bless him. But you can’t buy the UFC championship of the world. That’s the only thing you can’t buy so he’s got no choice but to go and fight for it, and he’s still choosing to do that so you have to respect that.”

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TOP STORIES

Results. Colby Covington put on a clinic against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272.

Chaos. Colby Covington admits UFC 272 win ‘wasn’t my best performance,’ answers Dustin Poirier tweet.

Loss. Jorge Masvidal laments loss to ‘coward’ Colby Covington, promises to ‘break his f****** jaw’ if they cross paths on street.

Next. Dana White unsure what’s next for Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal, Covington could eventually fight Usman again.

The Eagle. Khabib Nurmagomedov announced for 2022 UFC Hall of Fame.

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VIDEO STEW

UFC 272 Post Show.

UFC 272 Post-Fight Press Conference.

UFC 273 promo.

Ringside physician discusses the beating Renato Moicano took.

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LISTEN UP

On to the Next One. Matches to make following UFC 272.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Statements.

Opinion.

Nate Diaz.

Respect.

Beef.

Khamzat Chimaev and Darren Till’s friendship.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Drew Dober (23-11, 1 NC) vs. Terrance McKinney (12-3); UFC Vegas 50, March 12.

Nate Landwehr (15-4) vs. Davida Onama (9-1); UFC Columbus, March 12.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Well, we finally have closure to the feud, at least for now. I hope y’all enjoyed the fights. Now, on to Santos vs. Ankalaev.

Thanks for reading!

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EXIT POLL

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If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.