11 – that’s how many times Conor McGregor was drug tested last year. He was tied with Arman Tsarukyan on that number. Fast forward to March 2025, and he has yet to submit a single sample. 2024 looked the most promising for his return, and 2025, so far, seems to be the opposite. But McGregor is trying his best to keep hope alive.

The former dual-weight champion was scheduled to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303, but an injury derailed his plans. A year later, ‘Notorious’ has kept himself busy with various ventures, including serving as a promoter for BKFC. With things settling down for McGregor, will he ever return to the frontlines of the Octagon? Well, his recent Instagram story might have just provided an answer.

Reuploading a photo of him training on his Instagram story, Conor McGregor has captioned it with, “I’m pump action.” So, what is the meaning of this story? Is the former dual-weight champion rooting to make a comeback to the combat sports world after years of hiatus? Well, recently, Conor McGregor ascertained that he would fight at the BKFC if possible, “For sure. If you think I’m up here giving these speeches and leading these men into battle and I won’t step in there myself, think again. For sure, Conor McGregor will fight in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Mark my words.”

Days after announcing his willingness to come back to the combat sports world, Conor McGregor uploaded a video of him having a training session, and guess what? There were no gloves involved. ‘Mystic Mac’ shared the footage on his Instagram story, showcasing bare-knuckle boxing combinations. The 36-year-old later posted another clip, delivering powerful punches to a heavy bag.

However, can Conor McGregor compete under the BKFC given that the former UFC champ has a two-fight left in his UFC contract? Well, Dana White might have to make a plan for his biggest star to make a comeback. According to former UFC fighter Brandan Schuab, White might be already acting up, “There is something at stake. I think the UFC will probably be willing to collaborate in that regard because they collaborate with Bare Knuckle. And Conor is an owner, a minority owner, so there might be something there if that gets Conor back in the ring.” 

Is he making a comeback? Maybe, but what’s worrisome is the fact that McGregor has yet to be tested under the DFSI. According to a report shared by Jed I. Goodman, Conor McGregor has not been tested once this year. Well, sooner or later, Conor McGregor will return to the fighting scene—and interestingly, his former opponent also believes he will make a comeback soon.

Dustin Poirier explains why Conor McGregor’s return is imminent

The last time Conor McGregor stepped into the Octagon was against Dustin Poirier at UFC 268. In that bout, McGregor suffered a severe shin fracture, which has kept him on hiatus ever since. Poirier and McGregor share a tense and bitter relationship. What began as a friendly rivalry escalated into full-blown animosity, especially after McGregor involved Poirier’s wife in his trash talk. Regardless, years have passed since that incident and Poirier in his latest confession has emphasized that McGregor has what it takes to rise once again.

While having a conversation with the media, Dustin Poirier emphasized, “Look, I love to talk trash on Conor, but if anybody can put it all together and come back, if he can find that passion and that fire, and put it together, this guy can. I’m not saying anybody, but this guy can. He’s special. He has something special, but only he knows when he looks in the mirror if he can really do it again. But if he believes it, I believe he could.”

Conor McGregor has been written off by many analysts, veterans, and even his own fans but the man who believes in him is his rival, quite an irony. Dustin Poirier believes that McGregor can rise again if he tries enough but is ‘Notorious’ firm enough? Well, we don’t know, what are your thoughts on the fighter? State your opinion in the comments below.