Conor McGregor has taken the MMA world by storm but for all the wrong reasons yet again. However, that’s not a novel thing for ‘The Notorious’, whose actions and antics outside of the Octagon have raised concerns among fans. The question that everybody has in their mind is if it’s the end of McGregor.

It’s a legitimate issue that’s up for debate given that Conor McGregor’s recent record hasn’t been up to the mark. Moreover, the noise he’s been making lately seems to have nothing to do with his fighting career. Hence, let’s explore the possible reasons for the Irishman’s drastic downfall.

Conor McGregor cannot seem to find his way back inside the Octagon

The reigning heavyweight king Jon Jones, just like Conor McGregor, also went on a significantly extended hiatus, but unlike the former simultaneous two-weight champion, he returned and performed just like he always does. The Irishman, on the other hand, last fought in July 2021 when he broke his leg in a losing effort to Dustin Poirier. For the rest of 2021 and 2022, McGregor remained relatively under the radar regarding talks about his next fight.

In 2023, fans were excited to see Conor McGregor on the verge of a return after getting paired up with former Bellator champion Michael Chandler as opposing coaches in ‘The Ultimate Fighter 31’. They were slated to fight each other when the show culminated, but McGregor had to sit down for the rest of the year due to his exclusion from the UFC’s doping agency at that time, USADA’s testing pool.

He was required to join the rest of the fighters for a period of six months, which McGregor would do later in 2023. After going through that testing period, the former double champion found himself getting booked to fight ‘Iron’ at UFC 303, but the plans fell flat on Dana White’s face. McGregor had apparently injured his pinky toe just a couple of weeks before the event on June 29, prompting the UFC CEO to seek Alex Pereira’s help, who filled in to defend his 205lbs title against Jiri Prochazka.

As of now, the prospect of the Dubliner ever making it back to the Octagon seems to be a long stretch. Besides finding it difficult to return to active competition, McGregor also saw himself getting into a serious legal issue that ended with him paying a hefty price.

Conor McGregor’s legal woes

Throughout his career, Conor McGregor has had quite a few run-ins with the law for various reasons, but the recent ones have been quite serious. During the NBA Finals in 2023, the Irishman was accused of misbehavioral conduct with an unarmed woman at the Kaseya Center in Miami. However, his lawyer would speak up on his behalf, denying any kind of accusations. The victim’s lawyer had even shared a detailed account of her traumatic experience, but McGregor did not face any criminal charges.

Fast forward to 2024, Conor McGregor found himself battling a lawsuit for another allegation of misbehavioral conduct. The victim, Nikita Hand, got the better of McGregor as the Dublin court gave the verdict in her favor, and ‘The Notorious’ had to pay more than $250,000 for the damages. However, the UFC superstar wasn’t going to give up so easily.

Following the court’s ruling, McGregor expressed his disappointment with the verdict, announcing that he’d be appealing against it. “I will be appealing today’s decision. The judge’s instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages,” tweeted Conor McGregor. “I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP [Director of Public Prosecutions] reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future. Thank you to all for support worldwide.”

While we wait to see how this appeal turns out for Conor McGregor, let’s take a look at another reason why his career’s been marred due to outside-the-Octagon antics.

McGregor’s furious social media rants

“Tweet and delete” is what Conor McGregor is known by fans and all the media outlets in recent years. But what he’s garnered attention recently is for his alc–ol-filled rants on social media. From aiming at Joe Rogan, who highlighted an illegal move the Irishman used in one of his fights, to taking jibes at social media content creator, True Geordie, McGregor has verbally slayed many people.

His rants also extend to UFC fighters and during a recent live stream on Kick, sponsored by Duelbits, Conor McGregor took aim, at several up-an-comers and former champions. The Irishman also drew attention from former UFC fighter Ben Askren, who highlighted how his drinking has taken a toll on his career. “Give him some w— and give him some alcohol and just let him go, I guess. I don’t think that Conor wants to be shielded. I feel like this was the most gone he’s ever been, like on camera,” ‘Funky’ stated in a YouTube video.

In addition to his social media antics, Conor McGregor has also raised concerns about his MMA career coming to an end, given the kind of lifestyle he showcases to his fans and followers.

Conor McGregor’s lavish lifestyle is always in the spotlight

The former UFC double champion has not just been a successful fighter, but he’s also built some big businesses during his time away from action. His several beverage and food brands and becoming a part-owner of one of the fastest-rising fight promotions in the world, BKFC, have loaded up his bank balance, leading him to live a life that most people can only imagine.

McGregor never shies away from flaunting his wealth as he has posted several photos and videos of riding a million-dollar Lamborghini yacht, enjoying time at various music festivals, and throwing wild parties in his Black Forge Inn pub in Dublin. Dana White, meanwhile, also cited McGregor’s current financial boom as the reason why his coming back may not happen.

“You’ve seen guys in this sport when he makes that kind of money, they’ll fight a lot less like Conor has, or they go on losing steaks because it’s just [that] you are not that same person once you get that kind of money,” Dana White stated in 2023. But as we all know, these riches and his wealth could not have helped him stay in fans’ good graces due to several controversies marring his reputation.

What do you think is the reason for Conor McGregor’s downfall? Drop your comments below.