Conor McGregor‘s once-thriving UFC career is currently at a standstill, with rumors of his potential retirement gaining traction, reported by Essentially Sports. Fans who were eagerly anticipating a grand comeback after months of teasers and banter are now facing the grim reality that McGregor may hang up his gloves for good. A notable UFC veteran has voiced his doubts about McGregor's return, suggesting this could be the end of the road for the former dual-weight champion.
McGregor's highly anticipated return to the octagon has been plagued by setbacks. A mysterious injury, which neither McGregor's team nor the UFC has disclosed, halted his comeback plans. The cancellation of a press conference in Dublin on June 3rd further fueled speculation about the future of the “Notorious” one.
Matt Brown's pessimism
Former UFC fighter Matt Brown recently shared his skepticism about McGregor's return in an interview with “MMAFighting.” Brown, who initially celebrated McGregor's announcement of a comeback, now expresses deep doubts. He stated, “I was never confident before that he would [come back]. It didn’t shock me when I saw he was out of this fight. No, I’m still on that same train — he’s not ever coming back. I say the same thing I said before, I hope he proves me wrong. I hope I’m wrong.”
Brown elaborated on his desire to see McGregor return to form, saying, “I would like to see Conor fight again. I would like to see him do a real training camp with real training partners, push himself hard, and go back to the great Conor that he was before. I would love to see that. I think a lot of people would love to see that. It’s not happening.”
Despite his pessimism, Brown proposed an alternative for McGregor: transitioning to boxing. “If he’s going to fight again, it should be boxing,” Brown suggested, citing the sport's lower impact on McGregor's already problematic leg. This idea might seem surprising to McGregor's fans, but it is gaining traction among experts who believe boxing could offer a less physically taxing path for the fighter.
Chael Sonnen's perspective
Chael Sonnen, another prominent figure in MMA, has also weighed in on the matter. Sonnen believes McGregor's recent actions hint at an impending retirement. “If McGregor does not show up on June 29 and fight Michael Chandler at 170 pounds, it is the exact same as announcing Conor McGregor’s retirement from the sport,” Sonnen stated in a YouTube video. Both Brown and Sonnen's remarks paint a gloomy picture of McGregor's future in the UFC.
Henry Cejudo supports McGregor's pause
On the other hand, Henry Cejudo, another former dual-weight champion, supports McGregor's decision to take time off for recovery. Cejudo, who understands the importance of full recovery before returning to the octagon, is relieved that McGregor has pulled out of UFC 303. During a conversation with Kamaru Usman on Pound-4-pound, Cejudo expressed his views: “The fact that Conor McGregor has to pull out, that’s actually a really good sign. What do I mean by that is he’s probably killing a little bit of his ego and now he’s taking it a lot more serious than ever.”
Cejudo believes McGregor's cautious approach indicates a more mature and serious attitude towards his comeback. He added, “It’s also an experience for him, so the way that I’m taking it, too, is that they’re going to fight, but he’s at that point where, ‘I want to make sure that I’m 100 percent,’ like this comeback to me is real.”
What's next for McGregor
As the debate continues, fans and analysts alike are left wondering about McGregor's next move. Will he return to the UFC, venture into boxing, or announce his retirement? The only certainty is that McGregor's decision will have a significant impact on the world of combat sports.
For now, the fighting community watches closely, hoping for clarity on McGregor's future. Whether he chooses to return to the octagon, switch to boxing, or retire, his legacy in MMA remains undeniable. The “Notorious” one's journey has been marked by extraordinary highs and crushing lows, and whatever he decides next will be another chapter in a storied career.
Follow Us
Subscribe