The complex journey of Conor McGregor: What’s next for the Irish superstar?
The man who can be credited for the popularizing of the mixed martial arts (MMA) as a full contact combat sport is none other than Conor McGregor. His loud mouth, stunning knockouts and unapologetic self-marketing made him one of the biggest stars in the world of MMA. McGregor’s career can be described as a meteoric rise that was characterized by many firsts such as being the first ever UFC fighter to simultaneously hold titles in two weight categories. However, as he has moved through his career, it has also been filled with controversy, legal issues, injuries, and unsteadiness in the octagon.
At the time of writing this article in 2023, McGregor’s position in the history of the MMA is unarguable, however, his further career prospects are still unclear. What is in the pipeline for the Irish superstar? In order to do that, it’s necessary to look at his story from the time he grew up in Ireland to the present day where he is the king of UFC, the obstacles he has encountered in his fighting career as well as in his personal life and the possible scenarios for the future.
The Early Years: Rising like a Meteor.
Conor McGregor was born on 14th of July 1988 in Crumlin, Dublin, to a working-class family. Like any other great athlete, he came from a poor background. He was initially apprenticed to a plumber and his passion was always in combat sports. McGregor started off as a boxer before switching to mixed martial arts which was the right place for him.
In his early years, McGregor was a man who boasted a lot of confidence and he always delivered inside the cage. Cage Warriors was also a platform where the UFC noticed him in 2013 and he had won both the featherweight and lightweight titles. In the same year, McGregor entered the UFC as he fought Marcus Brimage and won by knockout in the first round. This was the beginning of one of the most powerful and energetic periods in the history of UFC.
McGregor’s journey in the UFC was quite spectacular and it is safe to say that he rose through the ranks very quickly. He entertained the fans across the globe with his mouth, attitude and swagger that could not be matched. The 2015 knockout of Jose Aldo, the featherweight champion, in just 13 seconds is one of the most shocking moments in the history of UFC and one of the biggest milestones of the career of McGregor. That win made McGregor the UFC Featherweight Champion and his fame skyrocketed in the following days.
In 2016 McGregor created history again when he defeated Eddie Alvarez to become the UFC Lightweight Champion and became the first fighter in the history of UFC to hold two titles at the same time. By that time, McGregor was not only a UFC fighter, but he was a global celebrity, a person who became famous not only for MMA but for everyone in the world.
From Dominance to Distraction: Shift in the Focus of McGregor
At the same time, McGregor’s fame grew, so did the number of things that could divert his attention. The money, fame, and the lifestyle that came with being a celebrity started to gradually drift McGregor away from the cage. After defeating Alvarez, McGregor chose to step aside from the UFC to focus on other things that he wanted to accomplish. This included his foray into professional boxing where he fought with the then undefeated champion, Floyd Mayweather in 2017.
The McGregor vs. The Mayweather fight was a historic event, which was also called “The Money Fight” and it brought millions of dollars into the box office. Despite the fact that McGregor was defeated by Mayweather in the 10th round of the fight, the event generated a huge revenue for him. However, the fight also marked a shift in the career of McGregor in one way or the other. The defeat to Mayweather signified the start of a new and somewhat more problematic chapter in his career, one that saw him make fewer and fewer appearances in the octagon, deliver some rather lacklustre performances, and attract a great deal of off-cage controversy.
The Khabib Fight: The Clash of the Titans
McGregor came back to UFC in 2018 after being inactive for almost two years and fought Khabib Nurmagomedov for the UFC Lightweight Championship. The lead up to the fight was one of the most dramatic in the history of the UFC and was characterized by personal animosity, name-calling and the fateful bus incident in which McGregor and his cohorts threw a trolley at a bus carrying Khabib and other fighters.
The fight itself was one sided. Khabib controlled McGregor in most of the fight and finished him in the 4th round by forcing him to tap out with a neck crank. Then the two camps engaged in a full on brawl which resulted in fines, suspensions and a bitter rivalry between the two fighters.
The defeat to Khabib was a big setback to McGregor in the UFC and it is still fresh in the memory of many fans. This was the first time that he had been so clearly out-classed in a title fight and it also highlighted some of the weaknesses in his grappling. Nonetheless, McGregor’s ability to stay in the limelight after the loss and his words and upcoming fights proved that he is still a big star. It is still one of the most popular PPVs in the history of the UFC, which only serves to show that the public was as much interested in McGregor’s character as in his achievements in the cage.
Legal Problems and Other Challenges in Life
It is also important to mention that Conor McGregor has faced a lot of legal issues and scandals outside of the fighting ring. McGregor has been involved in many controversies since he entered the limelight and has been charged with assault, accused of sexual misconduct and other controversies.
Perhaps the most famous of these was the bus attack in 2018 which led to McGregor being arrested and him pleading guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct. McGregor has also been involved in bar fights; one of which saw him throw a punch at an elderly man in a Dublin pub which was recorded and shared on social media platforms.
These incidents have surely damaged McGregor’s reputation and some of the fans started to wonder if the fame and the money changed him. Nevertheless, all these controversies have not hindered him from still having his fans and he still remains a big name in the UFC.
However, legal problems and personal issues have been a major issue in the life of McGregor and has given him a bad image of a fighter who has lost focus and is struggling with fame. This brings to the fore the big question of whether McGregor can get back to the disciplined fighter that he was before.
The Poirier Trilogy: Success & Failure.
In the year 2021, McGregor came back into the octagon to face Dustin Poirier in a much-awaited rematch. McGregor had won the first fight against Poirier in 2014 and many expected that a win in the second fight would place McGregor in line for another title shot.
But the second fight was not that smooth for McGregor as he had expected it to be. Poirier knocked out McGregor in the second round and the fight showed that McGregor has problems with his striking defence and the ability to take a calf kick. McGregor was defeated in the second fight and this was a very painful experience for him but he wanted to have a third fight to claim the victory.
The trilogy fight happened in July 2021, and it was another nasty loss for McGregor. The match concluded in the first round after McGregor got a severe leg injury, which led to the fracture of tibia and fibula. Poirier was declared the winner through the doctor’s decision, and McGregor had no option but to go for surgery and a lengthy healing process.
The trilogy with Poirier was another low in the career of McGregor and not only because of the injury, but it also made people wonder whether he is still capable of fighting at the highest level. McGregor’s unbeatable image had been tarnished by these losses and the path ahead for the Conor McGregor in the UFC was by no means clear.
Business Ventures and Wealth
Although McGregor’s career in the octagon has had its highs and lows, his businesses outside of fighting have been very profitable. McGregor is one of the highest-paid fighters of all time, and this is mainly due to his business interests, sponsorships, and fighting contracts.
Among all the business investments, McGregor has made, the most prominent one is the whiskey brand, Proper No. Twelve. The whiskey which was launched in the year 2018 became a massive success and in the year 2021, McGregor sold the majority stake of the company for $600 million. This, together with the money he made from the Mayweather fight and his UFC fights, has made McGregor one of the highest-paid athletes globally.
He has also ventured into other businesses such as fashion where he runs August McGregor clothing line, fitness where he has the McGregor Fast training program and entertainment. He has accumulated his wealth and business acumen and has been able to lead a lavish lifestyle which he often displays on social media platforms including cars, yachts and expensive holidays.
However, McGregor’s net worth has also raised a concern among many people on whether he is still motivated enough to fight in the MMA. It is only natural that when a fighter makes hundreds of millions of dollars outside the cage, one has to wonder what drives him. Has McGregor still the same passion to train, to fight and to win or has the money made him complacent?
The UFC’s Ever-Changing Landscape
However, McGregor has been struggling with personal problems and legal problems while the lightweight and welterweight divisions of the UFC have been developing. New stars have come into the mix such as Khamzat Chimaev, Islam Makhachev and Michael Chandler who are all looking to establish themselves as the new kings of their divisions.
Specifically, the lightweight division of the UFC has changed since McGregor’s prime. Khabib Nurmagomedov retired as the undefeated lightweight champion in 2020 and since then the division has been up for grabs. Some of the fighters who have fought for the title include Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje while McGregor has been out of the octagon due to injuries.
If McGregor is to return to the UFC and attempt another title run, he will be facing a new breed of fighters, young and determined to challenge one of the sport’s biggest stars. McGregor has done well for himself in the past, but MMA is a fast-paced sport and to maintain a position in the sport one has to work hard and prove oneself.
What is in Store for Conor McGregor?
At the end of the year 2023, the possibility of Conor McGregor’s comeback is one of the most discussed questions in MMA. McGregor has been speculating a return to the octagon and has posted several videos of his training on social media platforms and has given the fans a glimpse of his future fights. However, the fact remains that he still has to return and that is still uncertain. Some of the factors that will define McGregor’s future are his physical condition, desire, and the current situation in the UFC weight classes.
1. Back to the Octagon
It is most probable that McGregor will return to the ring and have one more fight, and that could happen in the beginning of 2024. McGregor has said that he wants to fight again and has challenged other fighters such as Michael Chandler and even Khabib Nurmagomedov although Khabib has stated that he is retired.
It seems like a possibility to have a fight with Chandler. Chandler is a very explosive fighter who is known for bringing out the best in his opponents and a bout between McGregor and Chandler will definitely be a blockbuster. But the outcome of McGregor’s fight in his comeback fight will be crucial. A win will put him back in the title race while a defeat may mean that he is no longer a force to be reckoned with in the division.
2. A Look at Business Activities
McGregor has been very clear in saying that he wants to fight again but there is always the chance that he may decide to retire from MMA and focus on his other business interests. Given that he has achieved much of his success outside the octagon, McGregor might just decide that he has no more reason to fight and can now focus on expanding his business ventures.
If McGregor was to quit the fighting game, he would still be a popular personality in the sporting and entertainment industry. His whiskey brand, fashion line and other businesses will make him a wealthy man and a force to reckon with in the society, even without him having to step into the ring again.
3. A Career in Entertainment
There is also another option for McGregor and that is to shift his career path and go into entertainment. McGregor’s charm, his over the top personality and his ability to attract audiences make him a perfect candidate for acting or any other entertainment industry. He has done several documentaries and there are speculations that he may take up acting in the next few years.
This may sound less probable than the fighter’s comeback to the octagon, but it is still possible. Some of the athletes who have switched from combat sports to acting include Ronda Rousey and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and McGregor can also try the same.
4. The Last Ditch Effort to Save Legacy
The most interesting of all could be that McGregor may want to have one more fight to make a statement before he hangs his gloves. Whether it is a clash with one of the division’s elites, a rematch with a former foe or even another bout with a combatant from a different discipline like Mayweather, McGregor may wish to go out on his last fight and have his last hurrah in the form of one final moment in the limelight.
It is possible that the last fight could be the most profitable for both McGregor and the UFC as it will bring a lot of attention and money while McGregor will be able to leave the cage with dignity. However, there is a possibility of him losing again which could be disastrous to his image hence this is a risky move.
Conclusion: The Future of Conor McGregor is uncertain.
The story of Conor McGregor is one of the most interesting and paradoxical in the entire history of MMA. It is a rags to riches story of McGregor, who shot to fame and became a superstar only to face several challenges in his personal and professional life. As he moves to the next chapter of his life and work, the next big question is what is he going to do?
Whether McGregor decides to return to the octagon, focus on his business ventures, or pursue new opportunities in entertainment, one thing is certain: Conor McGregor’s place in the history of MMA and as one of the most significant figures in the history of the sport is already cemented. The only question that has to be answered is how McGregor will decide to pen the last page of this story.
For the fans, the wish is that McGregor will come back to the ring and give more great moments that have made him famous across the world. In this case, the main issue that will define McGregor’s career is how he will manage to satisfy his desire to fight while dealing with fame, money, and the desire to create a great legacy. Regardless of what will happen in the future, McGregor’s story will remain interesting and will be followed by people around the globe.
