McGregor could become the UFC Champ Reason #1) McGregor trains with Gunnar Nelson and that gives him Cain/Cormier type push. Gunnar is very technical in both grappling and striking and bigger/stronger than anyone at FW. Reason #2) McGregor has an amazing chin. He looks tougher than anyone Aldo has beaten. He was completely unfazed by Poirier's striking. Reason #3) McGregor is bigger than everyone Aldo has faced including Aldo himself. Reason #4) McGregor has KO power. Mendes has KO power as well but he is shorter than Aldo. He has to work to get on the inside which is very hard against Aldo who is very good at controlling the range. McGregor being a lengthier fighter, he doesn't have to work as hard as Mendes to get into range. Reason #5) McGregor is technical. He is smart. Reason #6) McGregor truly believes in himself. A lot of guys think they have what it takes to beat Aldo. McGregor thinks he will run through Aldo and everyone else in the division. Huge difference. The only question that remains is how is his conditioning in the later rounds. Because I am certain based on what i've seen from Connor, that he is as tough or tougher than some of the guys who were able to make it to championship rounds with Aldo. I don't see Aldo finishing Connor early but I don't see Connor finishing Aldo early either. Both guys are tough as hell. I anticipate one of the greatest fights in UFC history going to the championship rounds, but that is where Aldo tends to fade. If Connor turns out to have great conditioning for the later rounds, that could be a problem for Aldo.
White and Fertita see dollar signs, their next star. McGregor hasn't earned a title shot though. He needs to go beat a Lamas, Swanson, Edgar type guy first.