Conor McGregor fans have been left nervous after new footage has emerged of the UFC icon training ahead of his comeback. The 37-year-old will take on Max Holloway in a welterweight showdown at UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas, 13 years on from their initial encounter. McGregor would go on to beat his rival that night after outpointing the Hawaiian.
McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg in a first-round defeat to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 back in 2021. His last win inside the cage came six years ago when he needed just under a minute to brutally knock Donald Cerrone out. The Dublin scrapper was due to return in 2024 against Michael Chandler following their stint as opposing coaches on the Ultimate Fighter reality show, but the Irishman pulled out after sustaining an injury in training.
Fans have since remained sceptical about him returning, until UFC supremo Dana White recently announced McGregor's comeback for this summer. As the 37-year-old ramps up training for his fight with the former featherweight champion, the MMA fraternity has been left concerned after recent footage emerged of him hitting a pad.
As McGregor constantly drilled a specific left hand shot, many were left far from impressed. "He looks slow and stiff. If he ends up getting into fight shape then things might change but Max runs rings around this Conor," one fan commented. A second posted: "Looks like he's gonna gas even faster."
A third replied: "Damn he’s slow," while another user commented: "Punching like a bodybuilder who just started boxing." Another cautious fan weighed in: "He is too big, too slow, too stiff. Strong though. But against Max, this won't be enough. Max has no ring rust, and will piece up Conor in 10 minutes tops," while another posted: "Slow and stiff."
One fan was eager to break down the footage in depth, replying: "Genuinely looks terrible. Obviously I know people are going to lose speed, power, etc. with age and lack of training. But he doesn’t even throw the same way anymore. Doing that one boxing match honestly was one of the worst things for his MMA career. He changed to more of a boxing stance, etc. and seems to have completely forgot what made him successful in the first place."
Despite all the negative noise online from fans, McGregor himself recently took to social media to show off exactly how training is going for his return. "Thank you for all the love, support, and encouragement over the last few days, people!" he wrote. "I am feeling very energised entering intense training camp because of it! I am very grateful for the team I have around me. My coaches and training partners, we are all fully tuned in for the challenge at hand and it is a glorious time in our gym!"
"Swipe to see an incredible snap shot of sparring with my long time training partner and friend, @nicolosolli_mma, who is in phenomenal condition pushing me hard, with coaches monitoring our every exchange. I am better than ever, and I relish the opportunity to once again show my mastery in martial arts to the world. Lord Jesus in your name, please, to inspire the next generation to come! Amen."
