Conor McGregor issues public plea for Anthony Joshua's next fight

UFC star Conor McGregor has publicly called for Anthony Joshua to rematch Daniel Dubois following 'AJ's' stunning defeat to 'Dynamite' last month.

Joshua was a big favourite coming into the all-British clash, but from the first bell, Dubois was quick to assert his dominance, with 'AJ' struggling to deal with his opponent's power and speed.

Dubois had sent Joshua tumbling to the canvas in the first round, and it would only get worse for the two-time heavyweight world champion. The Brit went on to drop 'AJ' four times in total before securing a sensational knockout to retain his IBF title. Many have called for Joshua to retire, but he recently issued a statement, claiming he still believes he can become a three-time heavyweight champion despite suffering the fourth defeat of his professional career.

The next big fight in the heavyweight division is Oleksandr Usyk's clash against Tyson Fury in December. It looked likely that Dubois would wait for the winner, however, it would appear a rematch with Joshua seems more realistic. Frank Warren, Dubois promoter, has revealed that 'Dynamite's' next fight will take place early next year and is very much open to the rematch between the two heavyweight giants with February 22 pencilled in for a fight card in Riyadh.

One man who was in attendance for the heavyweight clash was McGregor. The Irishman was caught on camera cheering every time Dubois scored a knockdown, but he insists he didn’t have a wager on the bout. “I didn’t bet on the Joshua-Dubois fight,” McGregor said during a live stream on Friday evening. “I thought Dubois and I was correct. He was very relaxed. Sometimes you get fed up, you might get a little bit tired or something. Joshua was almost at that stage.”

While a fair few fans are keen to see 'Dynamite' face the winner of Usyk vs Fury II, McGregor believes the Brit must beat Joshua again before moving on. "Make no mistake, I think what should happen next between Joshua and Dubois is a rematch,'' he added. "And stand the ground. Don't even go forward, don't even go back. Stand your ground and meet.

“Joshua has a good, strong jab. He almost came back, and he did hurt him with that before he got caught with the shot. That's a live fight between two very evenly matched fighters that have just put on a spectacle for us all in front of 96,000 fans in, on behalf of Riyadh Season and Turki Alalshikh. Do that again. For real, do that again."

As for McGregor, the former two-division champion hasn't fought since suffering a brutal injury, breaking his leg in the trilogy showdown with bitter rival Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021. McGregor was set to fight Michael Chandler in June at UFC 303, but was forced to pull out of the contest due to an injury, with his return to the cage now being put back until the new year.

Following McGregor's withdrawal at UFC 303, Chandler will now take on Charles Oliveira in a mouthwatering lightweight rematch at UFC 309 in November. UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed that the Irishman will return to the cage in 2025. The 36-year-old still hopes to settle his beef with Chandler, but White has insisted no decision has been made about McGregor’s next opponent.