A prominent UFC legend has delivered a stark verdict on Conor McGregor's fighting future, casting serious doubt on the Irish superstar's long-awaited return to the Octagon.
Sonnen's Stunning Retirement Claim
Three-time UFC title contender Chael Sonnen has expressed profound scepticism about McGregor's comeback, bluntly stating he believes 'The Notorious' is 'fully retired'. This bold declaration comes despite McGregor's own very public preparations for a fight later this year.
Sonnen shared his views with Mike Bohn, suggesting the logistics of a McGregor return don't add up. "My larger interpretation was just that Conor was off the card," Sonnen said, analysing potential matchups. He argued that if the UFC were to orchestrate a return, it would need to be against a 'real guy' who could headline multiple future events, ruling out veterans like Nate Diaz or Jorge Masvidal in his opinion.
A Comeback Stalled by Setbacks
McGregor, the former two-weight world champion, has not competed since July 2021, when he suffered a severe leg injury in his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. His planned comeback against Michael Chandler in June 2024 was scrapped after another training injury.
The 37-year-old has recently intensified his training camp, spurred by the announcement from former US President Donald Trump about hosting a UFC event at the White House in June. McGregor has been vocal on social media about his desire to fight, posting on X: "Pick who ya want! The Mac sweats nothing and nobody. I'm TASTY SHOTS."
White House Hopes and Dana White's Doubts
However, UFC President Dana White has publicly dismissed the idea of McGregor featuring at the potential White House spectacle. When asked specifically about McGregor versus Chandler at the event, White simply replied, "No," adding, "that was a couple of years ago." He further stated, "We'll see if Conor's going to come back or not. We've been talking about it for a while - we'll see how it plays out. I don't know, though."
McGregor also faced a significant hurdle with a suspension for missing three drug tests in 2024. He initially received a two-year ban in October, but this was later reduced to an 18-month suspension. This means the Dublin fighter will be eligible to compete again from 20 March, theoretically clearing a path for a summer bout.
Despite the swirling doubts from figures like Sonnen and White, and the series of delays and suspensions, McGregor's determination to return remains a central narrative in combat sports. Whether that return materialises against Michael Chandler or another top contender is a question only time will answer.
