Jose Aldo believes Conor McGregor still has a future at lightweight despite growing doubts about whether the former two-division UFC champion can ever compete at 155 pounds again.
McGregor has not fought at lightweight since his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier in 2021, when he suffered a devastating leg injury. His long-awaited return against Max Holloway at UFC 329 took place at welterweight and ended in another setback after McGregor injured his knee just seconds into the fight.
While many fans and analysts believe McGregor’s days as a lightweight are over, Aldo disagrees. The UFC Hall of Famer thinks the Irishman can make the move back to 155 pounds if he takes the right approach.
Speaking about McGregor’s future, Aldo said the former champion should focus on getting his weight under control before considering another UFC comeback.
“Yeah, I think first he needs to go through some dietary re-education to see if he can get back down and be lighter again,” Aldo said. “I think, in my opinion, he has the frame for 155, so it would be good.
“And I’ll tell you this: today, if Conor fights at 155 and beats a name [that isn’t necessarily at the top], the division is wide open again. To me, the division has kind of stalled there. Ilia [Topuria] moved up and lost to [Justin] Gaethje, so it’s a bit of a mess there, and anyone can come in and snatch the title.”
The comments come as McGregor continues his recovery from ACL and meniscus injuries suffered during his rematch with Holloway. The Irish star is not expected to return until at least the summer of 2027.
Before the injury, McGregor’s longtime coach John Kavanagh suggested that welterweight had become a more natural fit for his fighter. Kavanagh argued that 170 pounds is now a comfortable cut for McGregor and that dropping back to lightweight would require a significant incentive.
Aldo, however, believes a return to 155 pounds remains possible despite McGregor’s physical transformation over the years.
“His frame has also gotten much bigger, he’s gained a lot of weight and muscle mass, so we don’t know what he’s going to be like when he comes back,” Aldo said. “But I always hope for the best, so I hope that tomorrow he’s doing well physically and psychologically, too, and that he can return to the UFC and have great fights again.”
Having shared the Octagon with both Holloway and McGregor in multiple title fights, Aldo admitted he was disappointed to see their highly anticipated rematch end so abruptly.
Millions of fans tuned in to watch McGregor’s comeback after a five-year absence, only for the fight to end moments after it began.
“Regardless of the outcome back when we fought, I always root for everyone to be able to fight, come back, and do their job,” Aldo said. “It’s sad because of the injury. Everyone waited for him to come back, and then he comes back, you have that fight week, everyone is excited, millions and millions of people tuning in, and then when the time comes, that happens.
“It’s sad, you know? I hope he can come back, recover, and return to the octagon.”
