Joe Rogan has cast doubt on whether UFC superstar Conor McGregor will ever return to the Octagon, citing concerns about the fighter’s lifestyle outside the sport.
The popular podcast host and UFC commentator shared his thoughts as McGregor’s absence from competitive fighting stretches beyond three years.
The former two-weight UFC champion has not competed since July 2021, when he suffered a serious leg injury during his bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
McGregor’s last appearance ended in dramatic fashion when he broke his tibia in the opening round against Poirier, forcing the ringside doctor to stop the contest.
Joe Rogan has cast doubt on whether UFC superstar Conor McGregor will ever return to the Octagon, citing concerns about the fighter’s lifestyle outside the sport
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The Irish fighter later revealed he had entered the bout already carrying an injury.
Since then, McGregor was scheduled to face Michael Chandler in June but had to withdraw after breaking his toe during fight preparations.
He has also recently faced legal troubles, appearing in court in Ireland where he was ordered to pay £208,000 in damages in a civil rape case. He continues to deny any wrongdoing.
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Conor McGregor hasn’t fought in UFC for three years
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Speaking on his podcast, Rogan expressed serious doubts about McGregor’s future in the sport.
“I don’t know if Conor is ever gonna fight again,” Rogan said on the Joe Rogan Experience.
He pointed to McGregor’s lifestyle choices as a major concern after the Irishman confessed to using cocaine.
“The reality is that guy’s partying, and he’s partying real hard, and he talked about it in the in the court case, he’s talking about cocaine,” Rogan stated.
Rogan also highlighted the physical toll of McGregor’s fighting career and its potential long-term effects.
“We’ve all seen Conor get beat up and knocked out. We’ve seen Conor’s sparring footage. He spars pro boxers. He’s sparring elite fighters.
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“You’re not supposed to get punched in the head 1000 times a year,” he said, discussing the impact of consistent training on fighters’ bodies.
Despite ongoing speculation about his return, McGregor recently took to social media to address his fighting future.
The Irishman denied rumours of a potential clash with UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria.
Conor McGregor’s UFC future is up in the air following his rape civil case verdictPA
Instead, McGregor claimed he is in “preliminary agreements with the Ambrani family” to face Logan Paul in a boxing exhibition in India.
He added that following the proposed boxing match, he would “then seek my return to the Octagon.”