Conor McGregor’s shadow looms over UFC 269, but he shouldn’t be anywhere near facing the winner of Poirier vs Oliveira

CONOR MCGREGOR may believe he will be able to walk into a title fight - but he shouldn't be the only one.

Tomorrow morning, The Notorious will defend the belt he proudly held at Madison Square Garden five year ago. It will be up for grabs in the main event of UFC 269 Las Vegas.

Charles Oliveira, the incumbent champion, and Dustin Poirier, the former interim titleholder will be looking to finish the year on top of the 155lb crown in the final pay per view bout of 2021.

McGregor has already chosen himself to be the next assignment in the mouth-watering contest.

Recently, he said that he was "billi walking straight to a Title Shot on my Return and it sickens me the bums in this business."

Although the Champ Champ might believe that he will 'billi’ walk into a title fight on his eagerly awaited return next year, the reality is far more complicated.

Poirier's back-to-back defeats have caused Poirier's stock to plummet, as well as his ranking.

McGregor currently ranks tenth in his former division, which is a remarkable result of his MSG masterclass against Eddie Alvarez.

The current ranking position of his body makes it difficult to sell an immediate title shot upon his return.

Combine that with the fact that his only victory in the past two years was over an older Donald Cerrone, and you have no grounds for a title fight for UFC's poster child.

McGregor's poor form is not the only reason he should not be in the title photo.

The stacked lightweight division was able to move on from his initial two-and a half year hiatus, and it has continued to do so ever since.

If McGregor can defeat stablemate Beneil Dariush next season, Islam Makhachev will be worthy of a shot at McGregor's belt.

Makhavhev, the Dagestani savage, is not the only one who has claimed the belt. Justin Gaethje, the former interim lightweight king of Dagestani has also staked his claim to a second chance at the belt by winning the battle of the ages against Michael Chandler.

McGregor is, meritocratically speaking, at the back of line.

However, even though Poirier is down 2-1, The Diamond has some ground to rekindle his rivalry with him if his featherweight opponent wins undisputed UFC Gold at the second attempt.

McGregor's unfortunate leg injury in July Sin City was more than a mystery. Poirier, however, won the second round despite being able to weather an early storm.

We don't know if McGregor could have made a second-round comeback similar to the one he did in his fight for interim featherweight title with Chad Mendes.

This uncertainty is what Poirier would likely use to build a fourth fight against Poirier if the Louisianan defeats the hot Oliveira.

McGregor's draw is huge, and McGregor has done so much for the sport. But Dana White cannot justify McGregor being in a title fight until McGregor gets at least one win.

This would be a disgraceful act in front of Makhachev and Gaethje, and would also put the final nail in meritocracy's premier promotion in mixed martial art.