There was a time when major corporations like Proximo Spirits and IO Interactive sought to partner with UFC superstar Conor McGregor, eager to have him as the face of their brands. However, in the wake of the Irishman’s loss in a civil suit last Friday, these companies have distanced themselves from the UFC superstar. The case, filed by Nikita Hand, who accused ‘Mystic Mac’ of s–ual a–ault, culminated in the jury finding him liable and with a payment of approximately $250,000 to be made to the plaintiff in damages. This legal setback has added further strain to McGregor’s already troubled personal and professional life, with his absence from the octagon since 2021.

While Conor McGregor had hoped to return in 2025, this new legal controversy has only worsened the situation. Fans are now questioning whether Dana White and the UFC will sever ties with the Irishman. Although there is no official update, potential opponent Dan Hooker recently weighed in, casting doubt on ‘Notorious’s return to the octagon and highlighting the grim reality of the situation.

Dan Hooker doubts Conor McGregor’s return to the octagon

This year marks the third consecutive year of Conor McGregor’s hiatus from the octagon, with the 37-year-old UFC star still sidelined. Initially, McGregor had planned to return in the summer for a fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303, but a pinky toe injury caused him to pull out of the bout. In October, McGregor sparked renewed hope among fans when he hinted at a comeback against Dan Hooker at next year’s Saudi Arabia event. However, Dana White quickly debunked those claims, and with the ongoing legal issues surrounding McGregor, his return to the octagon now seems even more uncertain.

Recently, Dan Hooker shared his thoughts on McGregor’s situation during an interview with Combat TV on YouTube. Hooker commented, “He’s just larger than life, bro. He’s not… I don’t know, he’s like, just a celebrity. He’s like what people expect from him. He’s got so much stuff going on.” Hooker pointed out McGregor’s numerous ventures, including his recent appearance in Roadhouse with Jake Gyllenhaal, along with his many on-going business interests. He further explained, “You know, he’s got energy drinks, beers, movies, and stuff coming out. To put that all on pause for, like, whatever, three-four months, and do a training camp, the guy would lose more money than he’d make. I can’t see how that machine would pause, and you would be able to train.”

Despite his controversial status and lack of recent activity in the sport, McGregor remains the biggest star in MMA, largely due to his brief but impactful run in the UFC. McGregor has successfully built his brand, leveraging his business acumen to expand into multiple ventures. However, the Irishman’s latest legal trouble is gradually restricting his business opportunities and stalling the expansion of his empire. His most recent setback includes his ties being severed with DAA (Dublin Airport Authority), the company responsible for operating alcohol sales in duty-free shops at airports in Cork and Dublin.

Cork and Dublin airports drop McGregor’s alcohol products

Like a domino effect, Conor McGregor’s empire has been crumbling since the judgment in favor of Nikita Hand, who won a civil suit against him for damages last Friday. Since then, several major brands, including IO Interactive, the makers of the Hitman series, have cut ties with ‘Mystic Mac’, even removing the DLC that featured his character ‘The Disruptor’ from their game. However, this setback is minor compared to the significant blow to the Irishman’s ambitious alcohol brands.

Since the recent legal judgment against Conor McGregor, numerous restaurants, bars, and pubs have announced they will no longer stock McGregor-owned or affiliated drinks, with Forged Irish Stout and Proper No. Twelve whiskey being the most affected. Companies like SuperValu and Centra operator Musgrave have also joined this growing wave of backlash, distancing themselves from the controversial UFC superstar and his brand.

Adding to Conor McGregor’s troubles, the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), which manages alcohol sales at Dublin and Cork airports, released a statement addressing the removal of ‘Notorious’ products. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, DAA spokesperson Graeme McQueen confirmed, “DAA can confirm that ‘Proper No. Twelve’ whiskey was removed from sale in both Dublin and Cork airports over the weekend. We can confirm that none of the bars in Dublin or Cork airports sell either ‘Proper No. Twelve’ or ‘Forged Irish Stout.‘” This marks another significant setback in McGregor’s business ventures.

Amid this ongoing crisis, do you think Conor McGregor will bounce back from this controversy and return to the octagon with his signature aura? Or is this controversy, like others before it, a sign of McGregor’s career coming to an end? Share your thoughts below.