UFC 202: What next for Conor McGregor - Nate Diaz rematch, Jose Also title fight or Eddie Alvarez lightweight clash?

McGregor has a number of options on the table, but his next move may not be in the UFC at all

Conor McGregor celebrates his victory over Nate Diaz at UFC 202 (Getty)

On Saturday night, Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz put on one of the most memorable fights in UFC history as they went the distance in a back and forth war at the T-Mobile arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

After an epic build up and a fight that lived up to the hype, McGregor once again silenced his doubters and walked away with a victory that many said was impossible before entering the Octagon.

As is the case with almost every UFC win though, very little time is ever handed to the victor to revel in the glory. The talk always turns very quickly to what's next and McGregor's options have already been discussed at great length.

A trilogy with Nate Diaz?

Now both McGregor and Diaz have one victory over the other, there is already talk of the inevitable third fight rubber match.

UFC fans may want to just check their excitement for the minute though. UFC President Dana White confirmed to multiple outlets last night that the trilogy fight between the two will not happen right away.

"We're definitely not doing this a third time right now," White told FS1. "I don't think there's anybody that doesn't want to see this fight again, but Conor's either going to go defend his title or give his title up and then we'll figure out where to go from there."

A rematch with Jose Aldo?

If McGregor is to defend his UFC featherweight belt, it would mean a rematch with the Brazilian Jose Aldo, who he defeated in just 13 seconds back in December of last year at UFC 194.

However, speaking at the post-fight press conference, the Irishman was quick to dismiss the likelihood of him a rematch with the Brazilian.

Jose Aldo is the interim featherweight champion and could face McGregor in a rematch (Getty)

"How long was I going back and forth with Jose? That must have been a two-year build up. He pulled out last minute. I continued to fight someone else. Then we rescheduled, two-year round-the-world deal with that boy and then he stepped in and I beat him in 13 seconds," McGregor said following the close of UFC 202.

"It's hard for me to get excited about that, especially after his last performance. It was a decision, he didn't go out and get it. He didn't go out and get it like I wanted him to get it. So I don't know, we'll see."

A lightweight title fight with Eddie Alvarez?

If returning to featherweight isn't going to happen, McGregor will then move up to lightweight where he could get an immediate title fight with Eddie Alvarez.

McGregor was supposed to face the former champion Rafael dos Anjos for the belt back in March, however, that plan fell through following the Brazilian's late injury.

Eddie Alvarez is a genuine option for McGregor (Getty)

The New Jersey native has been very outspoken about wanting a fight with the Irishman and if McGregor is fit enough to do so, it could set up a memorable title fight at UFC 205 in the UFC's first ever show in New York City on November 12.

Something outside of the UFC?

All the above has discussed McGregor's current options inside the UFC, though speaking at the post-fight press conference last evening he hinted that he could be looking at other projects outside of the Octagon.

"There's a lot of options," McGregor said cryptically. "Some might not be this sport. I'm in a beautiful, beautiful position right now. And that was built through hard work and I'm going to capitalise on that."

Could it be a stint in the WWE? No, highly unlikely. The most likely options would be for McGregor to be looking at some film roles which would no doubt be easier for him to land given the UFC's new WME-IMG talent agency owners.

Whatever the case and whatever McGregor decides to do next, one thing McGregor needs to do right now is to take an extended break away from fighting and lick his wounds from the brutal fight last evening.

Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz took home $3m and $2m disclosed fight purses respectively last night but they earned every single dollar.