One question continues to dominate conversations among fight fans: When will Conor McGregor make his long-awaited return to the Octagon? At 36, the Irishman has been absent from competition for over four years, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the return of ‘Mystic Mac.’ However, despite hinting at a comeback, McGregor has kept himself occupied outside the cage—expanding his business empire, managing BKFC as a promoter, and pursuing opportunities in Hollywood.

Yet, as his ventures beyond fighting continue to grow, so does the controversy surrounding him. His name has frequently made headlines, most recently due to a Dublin High Court ruling in a civil suit filed by 35-year-old Nikita Hand, who accused him of assault. But the drama doesn’t end there. Like a loose cannon, McGregor has been relentless—firing off attacks on social media, engaging in heated exchanges, and showing no hesitation in hurling insults at his critics.

This transformation has turned many former admirers into adversaries, including UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. Once a devoted fan who idolized the Irishman, the Spanish-Georgian now views him with disdain. Whether it’s fate or simply a battle of generations, the two have become bitter rivals, frequently exchanging verbal jabs.

During a recent appearance on the Full Send Podcast on YouTube, Topuria was asked about a potential fight with Conor McGregor. The host pressed him, asking, “What about a potential fight with Conor McGregor? Do you think that happens? Does he ever fight again?”

Topuria didn’t hold back, saying: “That guy is so sick—he has some problems within himself, you know? At the same time, when he was starting in mixed martial arts, he was an idol for all of us. He was a great fighter, representing good values, and he did a lot for the sport. But at some point, he betrayed the very principles that got him there. He became disrespectful to everyone around him—to the people, to the fighters, to everyone. And at some point, when you act that way, people turn against you. If they support you, you have to give them the same love back.”

Once regarded as the arch-nemesis of only the Dagestanis, Conor McGregor now finds himself at odds with nearly everyone in the fighting world. A man who once preached discipline—famously declaring, “Partying is weakness for the soul”—has seemingly abandoned that philosophy, often seen embracing the very lifestyle he once condemned.

As the discussion progressed, Ilia Topuria doubled down, asserting that he is “bigger than” the Irishman while emphasizing his desire to forge a legacy distinct from the Irishman’s. “I don’t want to be remembered the way people know him (McGregor),” he stated, making it clear that his ambitions extend beyond fame and controversy.

Paddy Pimblett takes a dig at Ilia Topuria’s “bigger than Conor McGregor” claim

“Actually, I am bigger than him. Right now, I’m bigger than him,” Ilia Topuria boldly claimed, asserting that he has surpassed UFC megastar Conor McGregor in stature. But does reality support his statement? Lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett strongly disagrees. Dismissing what he sees as the Georgian-Spanish’s overblown self-perception, Pimblett insists that the Georgian-Spaniard is nowhere near the Irishman’s level, either in popularity or influence.

‘El Matador’ has been relentless in his pursuit of a lightweight title shot against Islam Makhachev, despite UFC CEO Dana White and Makhachev himself shutting down the idea. Yet, Topuria remains undeterred, seemingly aiming for the same preferential treatment Conor McGregor once received. ‘The Notorious’, despite never defending his featherweight title, transitioned to lightweight and—after two high-profile bouts, including his rivalry with Nate Diaz—secured a championship fight against Eddie Alvarez. Now, Topuria is looking to follow a similar trajectory.

However, the Englishman remains unconvinced. He recently weighed in on the situation, stating: “I can’t see Ilia fighting Islam. He’s only defended the belt once—normally, you need to defend it at least three times. And he’s not that big of a star to just jump straight in. He’s not [Conor] McGregor, where he can just skip ahead and fight for another belt. So personally, I don’t see that happening. But we’ll see what happens.”

What are your thoughts on Ilia Topuria’s remarks about Conor McGregor? Has the Irishman strayed from the very principles that propelled him to global superstardom? And do you believe we’ll ever see him return to the octagon? Share your opinions below!