Conor McGregor's fans are convinced the UFC legend was working out before a date night with fiancee Dee Devlin in a post on social media.
After the former two-weight world champion posted a series of Instagram photos and videos training and appearing in top shape, fans began theorising that he was preparing for a date in the footage. McGregor has been with Devlin since before his UFC fame, and the pair are known to enjoy date nights at his plush Dublin pub The Black Forge Inn.
One fan wrote "When you have a gym session at 5 and a date at 6,", with another adding "Had to get a quick pump before the pics" alongside a laughing emoji. The series of photos and videos starts with footage of McGregor lifting weights, before taking shirtless pictures, and eventually ending up dressed up for a night out.
Another fan noted that McGregor appeared to be "training in dress shoes and pants," branding it "hilarious". American football player Mike Epstein added: "In the dress clothes? Slight flex". He would later post photos at the Black Forge Inn wearing the same clothes at the post, indicating that he went for a family day out at his pub.
The Irishman suffered a gruesome broken leg last summer against Dustin Poirier, and was unable to take on even light sparring until last week when he was able to move around with pal Cian Cowley. He has indicated that he will make a comeback at welterweight, but insists that no opponent has been decided as yet.
Cowley insists that McGregor can't be written off after participating in his first full-contact sparring session last Wednesday. He told Mirror Fighting : "He was in with me, we just had a few rounds. Conor's always training like that. People go on like 'he's back', he never left and he's always training.
"Just because you don't see it on the internet doesn't mean he's not training - it didn't shock me at all, it's Conor McGregor, like. Everyone knows, real fighters know a real fighter when they see one so it doesn't shock me, it doesn't surprise me. The fella is an animal and it's an honour to train with him."
Who do you want Conor McGregor to fight when he returns to the octagon this year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
McGregor has been angling for a bout with welterweight champion Kamaru Usman on his return, but may have to wait for his meeting with Leon Edwards. And speaking with Mirror Fighting earlier this month, he appeared unsure as to who exactly he would be fighting, despite guaranteeing that it will be at Usman's weight.
"Straight back into training," he said. "I'm looking forward to getting back into the octagon - we'll see what happens, the leg's getting better every day, I think 170 is where I'm aiming for, I feel good at this weight."
The Irishman is currently riding the first two-fight losing streak of his career, after two stoppage defeats to Dustin Poirier last year. He was knocked out in their first rematch at UFC 257, before breaking his leg at UFC 264 the following July and the bout being stopped between rounds.
