The MMA world has been hoping for Conor McGregor‘s return. After all, he is the biggest name in the MMA business. However, Joe Rogan has delivered a grim reality check that is difficult to ignore. In his latest edition of the JRE MMA Show #166 with Ilia Topuria, the longtime UFC commentator analyzed the Irishman’s situation with the clinical precision of a fight doctor looking into a career-ending injury. So, what did the JRE host have to say about the highly anticipated comeback of the former UFC double champion?
Rogan did not sugarcoat his opinion. When asked about the Irishman’s fractured leg, he laid it out, “There’s also the problem of that shin. You know, when a shin snaps like that, nobody truly recovers and fights.” For all the excitement surrounding Conor McGregor’s return, Joe Rogan reminded everyone that injuries of that size do not simply heal; they cause long-term damage. It’s not only about healing; it’s about whether a body that has been through hell can withstand another round inside the Octagon.
Ilia Topuria, who joined the UFC commentator for this episode, wasn’t much more positive. ‘La Leyenda’ gave a harsh assessment of McGregor’s condition, adding, “His body is f—-d. His toe is f—-d, his chin is f—-d, his body is f—-d.” Topuria didn’t stop there; he pointed fingers at years of partying, alcohol abuse, and the consequences of significant weight cuts. The Spanish-Georgian claimed that McGregor’s lifestyle had now caught up with him and that no amount of fame or money could restore a damaged body. “You’re paying the price with your health, which is the dumbest thing you can do in your entire life,” Topuria said.
Cannes – Elvis Screening Conor McGregor attend the screening of Elvis during the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 25, 2022 in Cannes, France. Photo by Shootpix/ABACAPRESS.COM Cannes France PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRAxESPxUKxUSAxBELxPOL Copyright: xShootpix/ABACAx 811615_230 Shootpix/ABACAx 811615_230
Both Joe Rogan and Ilia Topuria appeared to agree on one point: if Conor McGregor is still capable of making a comeback, the window is rapidly closing. That is exactly why the UFC commentator’s warning against wasting time—“You don’t want to be 49 years old sitting back thinking, ‘If I could have just won more’”—hits especially harder given that the Irishman hasn’t won a fight since 2020.
While fans still want to hear the scream of ‘The Notorious’ once more, those closest to the sport are beginning to question whether that day will ever arrive. But for now, there were hopes of a boxing match featuring ‘The Notorious.’ So, will that happen? Well, Dana White has the answer.
Dana White reveals his take on Conor McGregor’s boxing return
The idea of Conor McGregor changing his focus to a boxing bout with Logan Paul in India may have sparked some fan intrigue, but Dana White’s recent reaction quickly extinguished that flame. Following the conversation on Joe Rogan’s podcast, in which both Rogan and Ilia Topuria stated that McGregor’s time in combat sports was running out, the UFC CEO stepped in with his trademark bluntness. When asked if the Logan Paul fight was happening, the head honcho’s emphatic “No, no, no, no” was as obvious as it could be.
He added, “Hopefully Conor McGregor returns in the fall.” Whatever McGregor’s ambitions may have been, White isn’t considering a departure from the Octagon—not now, not ever. While White emphasized that McGregor could return this fall, his stance is more questionable than optimistic. The Irishman previously withdrew from a highly anticipated fight with Michael Chandler, citing a broken toe just weeks before the fight. That fight has since faded into the background, with Chandler moving on and supporters losing patience.
Add in McGregor’s legal difficulties, which range from previous charges to new lawsuits filed this year, and the story becomes less about a return and more about a career in limbo. Still, the head honcho’s insistence on the Irishman’s UFC return suggests one thing: the UFC isn’t ready to call it quits on its biggest star just yet.
Despite the controversy, missing fights, and fluctuating timeframes, Dana White maintains that Conor McGregor’s return is a matter of “when,” not “if.” But, as Joe Rogan warned on his podcast, time doesn’t wait. If ‘The Notorious’ truly wants to return to the Octagon, distractions and side gigs must take a back seat. Otherwise, the window could slam shut permanently. What do you think? Will he be making his return this year? Let us know in the comments.
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