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Conor McGregor believes UFC favoring Max Holloway or Charles Oliveira clash after changing plans

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Kyle Dimond | Last updated Mar 7, 2026 3:00 PM ET

Conor McGregor believes the main event of UFC 326 could decide his next opponent.

The fan consensus is that Max Holloway will beat Charles Oliveira later today to successfully defend his BMF title.

Some big matchups taking place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas aren’t the only reason why fans will be tuning in on March 7.

Dana White has said he’ll announce the UFC White House card during the event, which ‘The Notorious’ has said he was planning for before the promotion’s plans changed.

Conor McGregor says he’s getting a ‘vibe’ that the winner of the UFC 326 main event could be his next opponent

Dana White’s dismissal of Conor McGregor fighting Michael Chandler at the White House was recently echoed by ‘The Notorious’.

He said during an appearance on the Smash Cast that things were heading in that direction before “somewhere down the line”, the promotion’s plans changed.

McGregor said that he was pitched International Fight Week instead, and he believes the UFC are looking at tonight’s UFC 326 main event to set up his return.

“The vibes I’m getting, and I don’t mind it at all, the BMF contest which is on this week, a rematch between [Max] Holloway and [Charles] Oliveira… maybe it’s me and that for the next one. So, we will see. It’s all taking shape.”

‘The Notorious’ provided several other updates on his planned return, confirming that he will be coming back to fight at welterweight and that he’s already accepted several different fights but hasn’t got a contract for them.

McGregor stated that his manager, Audie Attar, is scheduled to have an in-person meeting with the UFC in Las Vegas on Monday where he hopes a “respectable offer comes through.”

He also admitted some disappointment that it doesn’t look like he will be facing Chandler due to the history between them and the time he’s already spent preparing for this matchup.

Conor McGregor wants to bring the BMF belt back to welterweight to complete Nate Diaz trilogy

Conor McGregor made it clear when speaking on the Smash Cast that he’s open to whatever the UFC decides should be next for him.

When speaking about the potential of facing whoever wins the BMF title fight at UFC 326, the Irishman expressed that he doesn’t believe Max Holloway’s rematch with Charles Oliveira should be at lightweight.

He laid out one scenario where if he does go on to fight for that belt, he can bring the title back to the division it was created in to set up the conclusion of his trilogy with Nate Diaz.

“The BMF title was founded by Nate Diaz at 170 pounds. The creator of the belt. So, the belt should be contested at 170 pounds and I’m up for it. I’ll go and take it and I’ll bring it back and me and Nate can complete the trilogy for the belt. There’s so many avenues we can go and I’m up for every single one.”

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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