Conor McGregor explained how brutal the MMA world is as he compared it to boxing and the tune-up fight a boxer would receive after injury. According to the Irish fighter, he’ll be thrown into a big fight against Michael Chandler straight after his hiatus.
McGregor was in Saudi Arabia to witness the ‘Day of Reckoning’ boxing card along with Cristiano Ronaldo. In one of the interviews at the arena, McGregor hinted at wanting a tune-up fight.
“If I was a boxer, after my injury and the heights I reached from belts to PPV numbers, they would put me back in against this guy [a man who has never boxed before]. That’s what they would do in boxing. Build me back up.”
However, he explained that in MMA there are no such tune-up fights. The former two-division champion also revealed that he wants to become his own best version before retiring.
Do y’all think Veteran’s of the UFC who’ve had a layoff due to injury should get a tune-up fight like how they do in boxing?
byu/Ido-Portal inufc
“I just want to get back and get active. I want to become the best me before I call it a day… For any fighter, to be the best they can be, they need consistent competition so I’m eager for that,” he added.
McGregor has been out of action for over two years. He last fought in the Octagon in July 2021 against Dustin Poirier. The Notorious One broke his leg in the fight that has led to his long hiatus.
McGregor, however, is longing to come back. He was rumored to fight at the end of 2023 and later reports suggested he is up for a fight at UFC 300. However, recent reports claim it might be postponed further. The Irish fighter went on a rant against the UFC in Saudi Arabia because of the way he has been treated by them.
Joe Rogan suggests Conor McGregor should opt for a tune-up fight if he has the option
During JRE #2073, UFC commentator Joe Rogan opened up about McGregor’s need for a tune-up fight. He believes it will be extremely difficult for McGregor to jump right in.
Rogan said, “You need to be active to be at the highest levels of world-class mixed martial arts competition. I just don’t see how you can take two years off, multiple surgeries, get on juice, get off juice, and then jump in there against the best in the world.”
Further, the JRE host claimed if he was McGregor’s coach he would look for a tune-up option. He said, “Maybe he can do it, but if I was his coach and the option was available, I’d say let’s get someone who’s not even in the top 15. Let’s get some guy who is beatable, but a good test.”
“We talked tonight. I’m in Abu Dhabi, he’s in Dubai. We’re gonna figure something out. We’re talking.” 🗣️
– Dana White on Conor McGregor, per IG live#UFC300 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/LvuHCugQki
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) December 28, 2023
It is still unconfirmed when McGregor is going to make his highly anticipated return. UFC CEO Dana White revealed that a fight is in the works. Fans are hoping for an official announcement soon.