Three Reason Why MMA Fans Shouldn’t Be Excited For A Conor McGregor Return

After months of silence and speculation, Conor McGregor appears to be edging closer to a return to the UFC. The former two-division champion, whose last MMA appearance came in July 2021 against Dustin Poirier. Shared several updates on social media that suggest he’s actively re-entering the U.S. Anti Doping Agency (USADA) testing pool a critical requirement for cleared UFC competition.

“I gave my first blood test that is what the plaster is on my shoulder,” McGregor captioned a video of himself breathing into the camera while Black Sabbath’s ‘Changes’ plays in the background. “I am ECSTATIC! I’m in SHAPE! #illtakeyourheadoffforreal #fullgrown @ufc #TheBig20.”

Obviously, that news has MMA fans excited about the possible long awaited return of Conor McGregor. But should fans really be excited for the return of Conor McGregor at this point? I have three reasons why you should not be excited for the return of Conor McGregor.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor

On August 26, 2017, Conor McGregor took on Floyd Mayweather Jr. in what was arguably one of the greatest promoted combat sporting events ever established. McGregor absolutely stole the show. His charisma carried the card. His gimmicks of coming in the same vintage clothing that Joe Frazier once had was all a part of a brilliant marketing scheme. I’ve always said to myself, if you want to look at marketing one-on-one on display, look no further than Conor McGregor marketing his fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. Once again, he was absolutely brilliant.

But he didn’t fare so well in the ring as Floyd Mayweather Jr. stopped him. But on the bright side, Conor McGregor made so much money that he never had to fight ever again. According to reports, Conor McGregor took home $130 million from his fight with Floyd Mayweather, which secured his financial future. That money that he made against Floyd Mayweather Jr. was way more money than he ever would have made at UFC. So at this point, he doesn’t need to fight anymore. Honestly, I think mentally he understood that and was never the same afterwards.

Declining Fighter

After McGregor’s blockbuster showdown against Floyd Mayweather Jr., he returned back to the octagon against Khabib Nurmagomedov on October 7th 2018. In a fight where he was absolutely destroyed. He was submitted by the Russian and after that fight he was possibly never the same again. He did manage to beat a declining Cowboy Cerrone, almost two years later. But then he fought Dustin Poirier twice. in both fights which he was TKO’d. Clearly you could tell that McGregor just wasn’t the same at that point. Which was a little tough for fans to watch considering the explosion that he made breaking into the scene with absolute complete dominance. That same dominance was no longer on display anymore. McGregor was nothing more than a journeyman fighter, nothing more than a gatekeeper.

Death of all fighters

Everyone knows that the death of any fighter in any sport is inactivity. Conor McGregor has not fought in four years. What makes you think that he really has a true desire to fight? Or better yet, a true hunger to make a real title run? He’s always going to be a huge name. No one will ever take that away from him. But the same guy who was hungry and was making a humongous name for himself is done, and he’s been done for a very long time.

At 37 years old, what exactly does he have left in the tank? Because the last time we saw him in the octagon, he was getting knocked out. It might just be in his best interest just to officially retire. He has shown nothing that suggests that he believes that he can be a champion again. That comes with a certain drive, and MMA fans saw that drive when McGregor was steamrolling his way to championship glory. Lets see if McGregor actually does follow through with the next step of reapplying and making his long awaited return back into the octagon.