Conor McGregor is the Biggest Winner in a Possible Justin Gaethje vs Tony Ferguson Fight

Given the disruption of the scheduled UFC 249 headline fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson due to the coronavirus, something that was foreseen for weeks, the UFC is now scrambling to find a replacement for Ferguson for the intended April 18 date. With Khabib stranded in his native Russia, one possible replacement that has been discussed is Justin Gaethje. But while a Gaethje vs. Ferguson fight would be a ton of fun from a stylistic perspective, the true winner in such a scenario wouldn't be either of those guys.

It would be Conor McGregor.

McGregor has been looking for a way back to the lightweight championship conversation ever since his loss to Khabib in 2018, and a Tony vs. Gaethje detour may be his way back in to that picture. In the absence of Khabib defending his championship against Ferguson as scheduled, the UFC is all the more likely to fast-track McGregor for a Khabib rematch as soon as the smoke clears and the champ is ready to fight again later this year.

Just like that, Tony vs. Khabib wouldn't need to happen anymore -- nor does a much-discussed potential McGregor vs. Gaethje No. 1 contender showdown.

The one potential snag here would be if the UFC goes as far as pitting Gaethje and Ferguson for an interim lightweight title, Conor won't be able to ignore those guys if that were the case. His entire image depends on his status as a moneymaker and global star, and that depends on sustained success inside the Octagon. If Gaethje or Ferguson can hold an interim belt over Conor's head, you can bet that the Notorious would be ready to prove himself. But all that does is delay McGregor's shot at an undisputed lightweight championship, which might not be the best thing for business from Dana White's perspective.

Indeed, with each passing day, we have increasing reason to believe that the next superfight on the agenda at 155 pounds will be that Khabib vs. Conor rematch, plain and simple.

If White has to delay Conor vs. Khabib 2 because there's a separate interim champion out there, it might make for more interesting fights for the diehard fans... but thes are extraordinary circumstances. The UFC can make money fall from the sky by putting its biggest, most marketable names together.

If the key is to make up for lost time, Gaethje and Ferguson could very well be left out in the cold.

Of course, this depends on Ferguson accepting new terms for April 18, and the UFC getting a venue to put on the fight. However, should that truly be a date in which Ferguson and Justin Gaethje really do square off, McGregor will be intently watching with his own title future in mind.