UFC star Conor McGregor is now entering his fourth year of inactivity. The former UFC superstar has been on hiatus since 2021 due to injury. Since then, the former champion has attempted a return several times, but setbacks thwarted each effort, the latest at UFC 303 last summer. McGregor was close to making it back into the octagon, but a “pinky toe” injury sidelined him just weeks before the fight.

Every move toward a return has seemed like a bluff, until September, when UFC boss Dana White laid out a potential plan for the Irishman’s’ comeback, stating, “Conor McGregor will fight next year, early 2025.” However, Conor McGregor‘s ongoing legal battle with Nikita Hand dampened Dana White’s optimism, further delaying his return and leaving fans wondering if he will ever return to the octagon. But now, ‘Mystic Mac’ has a potential return date aligned with the UFC’s annual Madison Square Garden event.

Conor McGregor recently shared a post on the popular Instagram community page ‘Pubity’, where he wrote, “New city has the most billionaires in the world,” alongside another post stating, “Home of the champ champ! UFC NYC, NOVEMBER.” But why does McGregor refer to New York as the “home of the champ”? Is the Irishman referencing the famous Lake Champlain, known for legendary stories about a mysterious lake monster that locals call “Home of the Champ”? Or is McGregor hinting at his rumored move to the U.S.?

Once celebrated as an Irish hero, McGregor’s reputation has taken a significant hit following his legal defeat in a case involving Nikita Hand, who accused him of assaulting her in 2018. In November, a Dublin court ruled that Conor McGregor must pay $211,500 in damages to Hand for the harm caused. This legal setback has sparked an intense backlash in Ireland, leading

gyms and several organizations to sever ties with the former UFC champion.

Amidst this turmoil, reports from Irish media suggest that Conor McGregor is contemplating a permanent move to the U.S. While this potential relocation looms, the former UFC champion is expected to first step into the boxing ring for a showdown with Logan Paul in India before making his much-anticipated return to the UFC.

Daniel Cormier backs Conor McGregor’s boxing move

Just a couple of days ago, Conor McGregor sent waves through the combat sports world with his bold announcement, claiming that his next matchup would be a boxing exhibition against YouTuber-turned-WWE star Logan Paul in India. The Irishman stated, “I’m making preliminary agreements with the Ambani family to fight Logan Paul in a boxing exhibition in India.”This announcement has sparked mixed reactions from fans and critics, with many speculating that McGregor’s time in MMA and the UFC may be coming to an end.

However, fighter-turned-analyst Daniel Cormier has a different perspective. In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Cormier explained, “No, if he goes and boxes Logan Paul, it will be an exhibition. I mean, no, I think he’s going to fight in the octagon. I think he has to, though. For Conor McGregor to… he’s got to rinse some of the stench off of him from everything that’s happened outside of the octagon. Where he made his home is inside of that cage, and I think that at some point, he’s going to have to get back there.”

What do you think of Conor McGregor’s recent comments? Do you believe Dana White is positioning ‘Notorious’ for a major comeback at a prestigious venue like Madison Square Garden, despite the ongoing backlash surrounding his situation worldwide, including in America? Could the Irishman still prove to be a valuable asset, the “hen that lays golden eggs”? Share your thoughts below.