Conor McGregor remains on the sidelines looking in following his horror leg break and latest UFC defeat earlier this year. As MMA fans know, the out-spoken Irishman has refused to go away quietly. It just isn’t in his character to take time out, allow his leg to heal and then build back slowly. He’s a man used to being in the public spotlight.
The fighting future of Notorious remains unknown. Will he return to the octagon and try to recapture the kind of form that saw him become a UFC champion? Perhaps he could take another jab at professional boxing following his stoppage defeat to Floyd Mayweather. Some suggest the star of UFC could follow the example of another former fighter Ronda Rousey who became a star of WWE wrestling. As McGregor fans know, anything is possible.
Such a bad injury sustained in his last fight means retirement is a real possibility. Conor could take his millions and move away from the sport that made him famous. It’s anyone’s guess what he’ll do but the leading bookmakers offering specials on all sports including UFC bets are accepting wagers on McGregor’s next move and even his next opponent.
McGregor lost the trilogy
McGregor’s last fight was against old rival Dustin Poirier, a man he had fought twice before. Conor took Dustin out early when the pair first clashed and the Irishman was at the height of his powers but he was destroyed in similar fashion for Poirier in the rematch. Two fights, two knockout wins, one for each fighter. The trilogy made sense and the pair were more than happy to settle an old score.
Despite going in as a hot favourite with the bookies, McGregor suffered back to back defeats against Diamond. The former champion suffered a leg break in the opening exchanges and it was obvious he was in real trouble. Dustin made him pay but the fight was over as soon as McGregor picked up the injury and the referee called it to allow paramedics into the octagon to treat McGregor.
Not only did McGregor lose what was one of the most important bouts of his career, he suffered damage that would keep him out of action for many months. Many UFC fans believe retirement is the best option and they could be right. Post-fight rumours said Conor had been struggling with leg problems resulting in hairline fractures. That eventually led to the break that finished the fight with those fractures put under intense pressure in the fight.
The obvious thing to take away from that is the fractures will also be vulnerable and would continue to cause McGregor problems in training and every time he stepped into the octagon. That means a successful MMA career is now near impossible but he could concentrate on boxing, wrestling or even commentary.
Don’t call it a comeback
Those who were glad to see the back of McGregor will be left feeling disappointed. There have been numerous reports on respected MMA news outlets that he is planning a return and it could be sooner than you think. Some sites are even predicting we will see Notorious in the octagon again this year. That’s a big ask but we wouldn’t put it past a warrior that has made it his business to upset the odds and take us all by surprise.
Fans were then given an update by UFC supremo Dana White who said in an interview with the global sports press that McGregor is healing up well, and the question is not if he’ll be fit again but rather when he’ll be fit again. Kicking is the main obstacle he must overcome if he is to get back to competing at the top level of MMA. White reckons if McGregor makes a successful return to sparring in the next few weeks and can not only deliver kicks but also receive them without aggravating the injury, he could be back before the end of 2021.
McGregor certainly seems like a man that is determined to get back and told fans he feels ready to kick but won’t rush things but will, instead, listen to the doctors and take his recovery at the pace they advise.
