Conor McGregor is at all times going to be a draw.
The largest star in blended martial arts (MMA) historical past has been absent from energetic competitors since his rivalry with Dustin Poirier in 2021. Sadly for McGregor, he misplaced back-to-back bouts with “The Diamond,” the latter of which resulted in a damaged leg (watch highlights) that’s sidelined him ever since.
McGregor has been aligned for an anticipated match up with Light-weight staple, Michael Chandler, after the pair had been made coaches of The Final Fighter 31 (TUF) in 2022. They nonetheless aren’t formally set to compete, nevertheless, and UFC CEO, Dana White, has sounded increasingly not sure of a “Infamous” return recently. If it had been as much as Matchroom Boxing Promoter, Eddie Hearn, he’d do no matter it takes to get the famous person again within the Octagon.
“I speak to Conor fairly a bit and [I believe he wants to fight],” Hearn mentioned on The MMA Hour. “I nonetheless assume he’s going to need the deal to be proper. There comes a degree the place — generally you’ll do a present the place you must give them what they need, as a result of it’s in one of the best curiosity of the game and the enterprise. Possibly I might make more cash on a small present than I do selling [Saul] ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, however what does it imply to my enterprise? What does it imply to DAZN? What does it imply to my repute with fighters and my alternative to signal younger Mexican fighters coming by?
“In lots of situations, you’re taking a shower to ship. If it was me — and it’s not me, and Dana actually doesn’t want my recommendation — however I’m bringing McGregor again, no matter it prices,” he continued. “He injects an enthusiasm and a vibrancy into the UFC that nobody else can. There isn’t any one within the sport who could make it occur for the UFC and MMA like Conor McGregor. When he comes again, the press conferences, the build-up, the worth of the enterprise, the scores, the pay-per-view numbers [all go up].”
McGregor, 35, has headlined among the largest occasions in fight sports activities historical past, and a return — regardless of who towards — would do large numbers. The Highway Home star simply has to place pen to paper after persevering with to get known as out by Chandler.
