Conor McGregor 's fans fear the UFC star could "gas" out when he makes a return to the Octagon after he significantly bulked up to 190lb.
The Irishman has shown off a new ripped physique after ballooning in weight since his recovery from a broken leg began last year. It is likely McGregor will now eye a switch to 170lbs in a bid to become champion in a third weight class when he makes his comeback.
Images of McGregor displaying his uber-muscly frame have concerned fans, who believe he could struggle to last the distance if he returns to the Octagon. One fan commented: "He’s gassing out in 43 seconds next fight." Another added: "This is the ultimate form of Conor. Either he knocks you out in the first exchange or immediately gasses out and you win."
One fan criticised McGregor's new physique, saying: "Conor's biggest issues: gassing out and prolonged grappling. Conor's biggest gifts: hand speed and relative power in the division. Conor's solution: beef up and go up in weight, losing his advantages and worsening his disadvantages. IQ: nonexistent."
Another fan agreed, writing: "This man is not lasting more than one minute in the octagon anytime soon either." However, one fan believes McGregor's new bulky physique is planned, saying: "Why is everyone ignoring that fact that he snapped his leg in half? Clearly he was advised that increased muscle promotes bone healing."
One final fan believes the former featherweight and lightweight champion is eyeing a final fight with Usman, declaring: "He might just not be thinking about longevity. Get one shot at Usman and see what happens. He definitely doesn't need the money, why not take that lottery ticket for record that won't be broken for decades."
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McGregor has made a return to training and will be eyeing a fight before the end of the year, despite former UFC middleweight Michael Bisping claiming he will not compete in 2022. The 33-year-old has been accused in the past of running out of 'gas' in his defeats by Nate Diaz and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
His new weight could prove to be a further hinderance to his cardio if he opts to return 15lbs heavier at welterweight. MMA trainer Firas Zahabi previously claimed that McGregor's alleged cardio problem could be "genetic". "It think it’s partly genetic," Zahabi told Joe Rogan during an episode of the JRE MMA Show.
"I call it the touch of death. He’s got that left hand, it’s the touch of death. That touch of death comes at a cost. How do you have the touch of death? Where does power come from? Number one on the list, number one, is where your muscle is attached to the bone. It’s genetic. So, Mike Tyson, he has a powerful left hook not because his coach taught him how to hit a left hook. He could have hit a left hook like that if he had a mediocre trainer.
"McGregor, look at his stats. It’s all round one knockout, round two knockout (using) his fast-twitch, high-leverage left hand. If you take him into deep waters, his fast-twitch muscle fibres cannot metabolise."
