Conor McGregor has teased the "greatest sports comeback in history" as the former two-weight UFC champion gears up for his octagon return.
McGregor, 34, returned to full training last month ahead of his highly anticipated UFC return. The Irishman hasn't fought since breaking his tibia against Dustin Poirier in their UFC 264 trilogy bout last year. McGregor underwent surgery for his injury, having a metal rod fitted in his leg before an intense course of rehabilitation.
His fighting future was put into question when he recently tweeted: "MMA, I’ll never forget you! Easy work". Fans were unconvinced McGregor was retiring from MMA and the UFC star has now promised to make a triumphant return to the sport. "The greatest and the biggest sports comeback in history," McGregor wrote accompanied by a video of his past UFC fights. "Will you be a witness?"
Some fans have since mocked McGregor for his "comeback" claim, with one user writing: "Bro been talking about a comeback since 2020". Another said McGregor should consider making his featherweight return, adding: "You will never be a champion at 155 or 170. especially when Islam [Makhachev] and [Charles] Oliveira are at lightweight. Maybe try 145lb?"
McGregor called out welterweight champion Kamaru Usman for his return fight in the hopes of becoming the UFC's first-ever three-weight champion. The Irishman is unlikely to get his wish, with Usman scheduled to defend his belt against top contender Leon Edwards at UFC 278 on August 20.
A third user thinks McGregor will never emulate the form he once had in the octagon, commenting: "I'm sorry but he has been off for too long unless they give him a gimmie. I used to love Conor but he's just not the same guy. All the props in the world but he doesn't have the drive like he did before he got filthy rich. Totally understandable why fight if you don't need or really want to."
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It was recently announced that McGregor would feature in a Hollywood remake of Road House alongside actor Jake Gyllenhaal. Filming for the remake is scheduled to take place in the Dominican Republic later this month, which will bring into question when McGregor plans to return to the UFC.
McGregor only has one win in the past six years, a 40-second knockout win against Donald Cerrone in 2020 following another hiatus from the cage. The Irishman was beaten twice by Poirier last year and was submitted by bitter rival Khabib Nurmagomedov in his last bout before that.
