The UFC recently announced Conor McGregor’s return and disclosed that he would be facing Michael Chandler later in 2023. The fighters will be coaches for the UFC’s The Ultimate Fighter reality TV show. The Notorious’ return has had fans excited ever since it was announced earlier this month. He has not fought since losing to Dustin Poirer by TKO in Round 2 of UFC 264 back in 2021. That was the second time Conor lost to Dustin that year.
After the bout, Conor took to social media and wrote, “Thanks for the support everyone! Was not my night/morning in there but a great contest to improve on. I’m excited at the blockbuster trilogy I now have on my hands. Dustin is a hell of a competitor and I look forward to going again.” He hinted at a return to the octagon in the future and it looks like it might be on the cards. NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal certainly believes that McGregor will make a huge comeback, stronger than ever.
Shaquille O’Neal ecstatic about Conor McGregor’s return to the UFC
Recently, O’Neal spoke to InsideFighting about Conor’s return and what he expected. He said, “I expect a great show. He’s always been a great showman, he’s always been a great competitor. Me and him have the similar type blood, when you doubt us, that’s when we ride. They doubted him, he went to the top, took a couple of bumps, went away for a while, he trained, he’s looking real good. I know he gonna come back with vengeance. People like me and him, we love this.”
When asked about whether Conor will become a UFC champ again, Shaq said, “Of course he will.” The 4x NBA champ is confident that The Notorious will come back in stunning fashion. Along with that, O’Neal mentioned that he is similar to Conor in more than one way. There would be no harm in admitting that both Shaq and Conor are showmen.
Although they weren’t the best in the history of the game, they put on a show for the fans. No one could break the backboards and sell fights like Shaq and Conor. The biggest similarity between the two sporting icons is that they always have their trash talk game on point.
Even critics would admit that Conor and Shaq could talk the talk and walk the walk even if the odds are stacked against them. It was always beneficial for Shaq, and helped him to 4 NBA titles, including a three-peat alongside Kobe Bryant.
As for Conor, the Irishman was the first to hold two championships belts simultaneously in the featherweight and lightweight division. He hasn’t been doing well in recent years, but looks like he could put in a shift very soon. Shaq backs McGregor to fight in the UFC again, and even bag a championship belt.