Former dual-champion Conor McGregor is on his road to recovery and working hard to get back to full fitness. The Dubliner was all set to make a return to the Octagon against Michael Chandler at the UFC 303 event. Yet, he had to pull out of the fight because of an ill-timed injury to his toe. Consequently, Chandler has now moved on to Charles Oliveria as his new opponent. So is that what convinced Chael Sonnen that it is the end of the road for the Superstar?

McGregor recently took to Instagram to share a video of him slowly returning to training, but the UFC has yet to confirm his return date. So will we ever see ‘The Notorious’ return to action again? While fans are hoping to get a glimpse of him, the former UFC fighter feels otherwise. Let’s dive in!

Former UFC fighter gives fans a brutal reality check about Conor McGregor’s career

The 47-year-old took to his YouTube channel to share his honest update on the entire scenario. ‘Uncle Sonnen’ believes that Conor McGregor’s injury is playing a massive part in his recovery and is hampering his comeback. He conveyed, “The odds of ever seeing Conor fight again . The night that he fought Dustin Poirier and went down with the injury very slim that you would ever see him again”. 

Former dual-champion Conor McGregor was last seen in action at UFC 264 in 2021 when he took on Dustin Poirier. ‘Mystic Mac’ suffered a horrendous leg injury and since then has been waiting to make a comeback. It’s been more than three years now since the 36-year-old has featured in any professional fight.

Sonnen also feels that the announcement of the Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira fight also hints at something big. McGregor still has two fights left in his UFC contract and has not announced his retirement as of yet.

However, the former UFC fighter has already given his verdict and said, “You do not get better at any sport as you get older in life. So I do feel that’s a curtain call. I do feel the signing of Chandler versus Oliveira and the end of Conor McGregor’s fight career are synonymous and simultaneous and that’s a very sad thing.” 

And although Sonnen feels that McGregor’s career is over, UFC CEO Dana White doesn’t quite feel the same. During a recent interview, the 55-year-old shared an update about the Dubliner’s return date.

Dana White announces the return of Conor McGregor in 2025

When Conor McGregor decided to pull out of his fight at UFC 303, Dana White was considerably upset. Not only did he have to change the main event, but the event’s PPV number also faced a significant dip. He also made it clear that he won’t be commenting about McGregor’s return till the time he had some concrete news.

However, it now seems that the UFC head honcho has finally got an update about the Dubliner’s recovery. Championship Rounds recently took to their X account to share a video clip of White where he gave out the details about his possible return. The 55-year-old said, “Well, let me tell you this. I was the one this year saying I don’t think he’s gonna fight this year and all the talk and everything else. Even the fight being set up and the press conference. Conor McGregor will fight next year early 2025.”

Many experts even feel that McGregor has lost his love for fighting and is not the same fighter anymore. And regardless White, who has worked very closely with the Dubliner, doesn’t quite agree with it and is waiting to see him in action again. While many hopeful fans and experts speculated that the December PPV event is where McGregor vs. Chandler would ensue, we know now that it was just wishful thinking. With White’s statement, it’s unmistakable that McGregor won’t be returning in 2024 as he wished.

Are you excited to see Conor McGregor finally make a comeback to the Octagon? Who do you think he should fight next? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.