Conor McGregor has concerned fans after video footage of him looking worse for wear during a Monaco party went viral on social media over the weekend.
The former two-weight world champion has insisted he is "gearing up" for his return to the octagon later this year against Michael Chandler, but he was far from the gym during recent videos from the Monaco F1 Grand Prix. He could be seen in one particular video dancing and enjoying the festivities, leaving many viewers worried.
McGregor and Chandler are expected to square off in December, with Las Vegas the likely host city for the bout after the Irishman returns to the USADA drug testing pool in the coming days. Once he has completed at least two negative tests over a six month period, he will be eligible to compete, making the year-end event possible.
But many viewers feared he won't make it to the fight after watching the footage, with one asking "Can we please get this man in a gym?" Another added that McGregor was helping to get bettors a more improved set of odds for the Chandler fight, with one saying: "Man looks 40."
However, some fans were more lenient after seeing the footage, with a few noting that he is months away from competition, or even beginning a serious training camp. One even shared a video of current light-heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill, who won his belt as recently as this year, partying in similar fashion at a recent UFC event.
"It's always fun and wholesome for anyone to do it unless they were Conor," one argued, while another added that he should be compared with fighters like Tony Ferguson, who are frequently seen training but have been riding heavy losing skids. "All you see from him is gym and training videos, and when he comes into the Octagon he’s complete a**," the wrote. "It’s all about perception, people look way too deep into these things."
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McGregor has confirmed that his issues with USADA are "done", and he plans to announce a date and venue for the bout with Chandler during the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter. The Irishman recently recorded a new season of the reality show opposite his rival, which will culminate in a pay-per-view fight at year's end.
"That's done, my man," McGregor said when asked by Mirror Fighting if June 1 is the date for his return to the testing pool, as had been speculated by former fighter and renowned analyst Chael Sonnen. "That's done. Year end, I'm back in that cage having competed. I'm gearing up ready to go.
"Michael Chandler, yeah. It will be announced during The Ultimate Fighter. So The Ultimate Fighter is airing now in a couple of days on ESPN, and by the time that show finishes we'll have a date and everything set for the fans."
