No one, not even Donald Trump, could inspire Conor McGregor to step back into the Octagon – or so many believe, including Charles Oliveira. McGregor has been making waves with his visit to the Oval Office to meet the POTUS Donald Trump. He has been making a stand for himself in his quest to become the next Irish President. This necessitated him to speak for the Irish, and that he did. And all of that has put one question in every fight fan’s mind. Will ‘The Notorious’ fight again? As the world of mixed martial kept pressing on the subject of McGregor’s return to the Octagon, Charles Oliveira has a disappointing note to make. 

In a recent conversation with Oddspedia, ‘Do Bronx’ said, “To be honest, I don’t know why people are still talking about Conor McGregor. He’s done everything he wanted to do in the sport and now he’s choosing to live his life the way he’s living it. We’ve been waiting for him to come back and Michael Chandler has been waiting for about two years and he hasn’t shown up. I think fans should forget about Conor McGregor coming back, he’s not going to fight again.” While his UFC return lay in shadows, McGregor didn’t back down from pointing out that he was inspired by Trump’s work ethic. 

Well, as he showed off his suit, McGregor told Donald Trump, “I tell you what, your work ethic is inspiring. Your work ethic is inspiring.” This wasn’t the first time he showed such emotions. Back when Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during his Presidential rally, the Irishman raised him even higher. He showered praise for Trump for standing up for the people of America despite being a 78-year-old multi-billionaire. Trump reciprocated his favorite Irish person’s feelings and said, “Yours is too.” But with Oliveira’s response regarding McGregor’s return, the inspiration seemed a bit shorthanded.  

The return of Conor McGregor has been in a shadow of doubt ever since he pulled out of his fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303. And now, as things begin to pick up speed in McGregor’s life outside the Octagon, his return to fight seems like a dream. But what does ‘Iron’ have to say about his rival’s comeback? Let’s find out!

Michael Chandler sides with Charles Oliveira regarding the return of Conor McGregor

On 16 March 2025, Chandler appeared in an interview with the veteran MMA journalist Damon Martin. ‘Iron’ was thought of as a prospective opponent for McGregor. However, after fighting Charles Oliveira at UFC 309, he is now set to fight Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314. This put McGregor’s return in even darker shadows. When Chandler was asked about it, he didn’t really hold back. 

The former Bellator FC champion said, “In my heart of hearts, yes. Because I think he wants to fight. He doesn’t want to finish his fighting legacy the way he has done it. His last fight was breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier and then touting the greatest comeback in combat sports history and then doing The Ultimate Fighter and then signing to fight me and then pulling out with another injury. That’s my heart of hearts. Now in my mind, if you’re a betting man, does Conor come back? No. I’d give it a slim chance.”

As per Chandler, ‘The Notorious’ got intertwined in riches outside the Octagon. That seemingly pushed him away from trying for the UFC championship belt. But would he criticize McGregor for his delayed return was concerned? ‘Iron’ declared that no one had any right to do so. He seemed to believe that if he was in McGregor’s shoes, he might have done the same things the Irishman did. Nevertheless, a sliver of hope for ‘Mystic Mac’s epic comeback still exists in the world.

What are your thoughts on McGregor’s comeback? Do you agree with what Oliveira had to say about his return? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.