Conor McGregor has been criticised by fans for "thinking he's champion" after being spotted partying with a UFC belt draped around him.
The UFC superstar has been out of action for over a year having broken his leg during a second consecutive defeat to Dustin Poirier last July. His form in the octagon has significantly declined since he reigned as UFC two-weight world champion in 2016, having lost three of his last four fights.
McGregor has recently been stepping up his return to training as he eyes a comeback in 2023, which he has promised will be "the greatest ever". And it appears that the Irishman has already laid his eyes on the prize, and was recently spotted partying while holding a UFC title.
He paraded around the stage with a belt before raising it above his head, which mirrored previous familiar images of the star lifting the belts at 155lb and 145lb previously in his UFC career. The rest of the partygoers in the venue received his antics well, but he has received a more critical response online.
One fan wrote with the video attached: "Bro thinks he is a champion." Fans in the comments section agreed, with one writing: "I honestly can’t stand him anymore. He’s lost his identity." Another fan added: "Talk about living in the past, what a loser." One concluded: "Poor dude. I used to be a fan but now he’s just an a**hole version of Uncle Rico pretty much."
However he did receive lots of support, with one writing: "Regardless of what anyone thinks - the man was one of only four double champs in the UFC. No one can take that away from him." Another agreed: "He isn't right now but he earned those belts. He finished the 2015 pound-for-pound at No.1 with no losses in over 6 years. He has fought like a Beast against some of the current top five lightweights."
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A final fan had mixed views, finishing: "He earned those two belts by knocking out one of the GOATs [Jose Aldo] in round one and in one of the most dominant title fights ever at lightweight. Sure he's unlikeable and he has fallen off six years later, that doesn't change those facts though you all just love to hate."
McGregor has nearly slid out of the lightweight rankings all together since his absence in the UFC, but is instead eyeing a return to the 170lb division after ballooning in weight. A whole host of opponents are queuing up to potentially face McGregor including Michael Chandler, Charles Oliveira and Jorge Masvidal.
The UFC superstar provided an update on his potential return while using a photo of his last punch he landed on Poirier back in July, writing on Twitter : "Final shot before bracing on the break. All me. Excited to return and prove my support correct! Marathon not a sprint."
