Conor McGregor has been told he can forget about becoming a UFC champion ahead of his eagerly-anticipated return.
McGregor, 34, has promised to make the "greatest comeback in history" as he continues to recover from the broken leg he suffered last July. The former two-weight champion underwent surgery for his injury, having a metal rod fitted in his leg before an intense course of rehabilitation. McGregor was hopeful of fighting before the end of the year, but his return has now been pushed back until 2023.
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen thinks McGregor has no chance of becoming a champion again, and said on his YouTube channel: “ Conor McGregor ’s championship run is over. That’s true. That’s mean. Conor did not come out and tell you guys this, because he’s not aware of it. Get this – the whole world can see what we as the athlete take about two more years to see."
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McGregor called out Kamaru Usman for his return fight in the hopes of becoming a three-weight champion, but the welterweight king lost his title earlier this month when he was knocked out by Leon Edwards at UFC 278. Sonnen explained that although he thinks McGregor's championship run is up, the Irishman's star power and ability to break pay-per-view records is far from over.
"When I tell you Conor McGregor's championship time is done, his record-setting isn't," Sonnen added. "His live gate is not, his pay-per-view is not done, his time in the main event is not done. But you guys [the fans] did that, you elected Conor, the Diaz brother and Jorge Masvidal [as stars]." McGregor has taken part in all five of the UFC's highest-selling cards, with his 2018 grudge fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov holding the No.1 spot.
By the time McGregor returns to the cage, three years would have passed since his last UFC win. McGregor has ruled out a lightweight return after bulking up in size during his recovery, but that hasn't stopped Charles Oliveira from calling him out. The Brazilian wants to reclaim his 155lb title at UFC 280 in October to set up a fight with McGregor next year.
“I like the narrative. It would be perfect. We’ve been asking for this fight in Brazil so hopefully, it works out. I really do [think it will happen next year]. That’s the sole reason why I accepted this fight [with Islam Makhachev]. I know the more victories, the better the chances so this is a step towards that fight," he told ESPN.
