Conor McGregor: Beyond The Cage

Conor McGregor: Beyond The Cage

They say time waits for no man. Conor McGregor will hope this doesn’t apply to him this weekend in Las Vegas at UFC 329. The odds very much say that McGregor will become another victim of Father Time.

The 37-year-old Irishman returns after five years away to rematch Max Holloway at the T-Mobile Arena. The time away hasn’t been kind to McGregor. Unsavoury headlines, including serious sexual assault allegations, were virtually a constant. McGregor denied the rape allegation. He pleaded his innocence, still does, and while he was never charged in a criminal capacity, a civil jury found him liable in 2024. It was an almighty fall from grace for a fighter who was idolised in his native Ireland. A new low was reached in public opinion.

Many forget McGregor punched an old man in a Dublin pub in 2019. His crime, refusing to drink McGregor’s branded whiskey. He was convicted of assault. McGregor apologised. But a pattern was emerging. I could go on.

It got little traction, certainly in comparison to other headlines that have engulfed him, but McGregor also accepted an 18-month ban after missing three drugs tests two years ago.

The signs are that McGregor can still draw huge numbers despite everything that has happened in his private life. Controversy sells. It seemingly doesn’t matter what McGregor has or has not done. The paying public will still dig deep to watch him. Saturday night’s fight is their biggest ever gate. “The Conor McGregor effect is huge,” Dana White said this week.

But while McGregor can still draw a seismic crowd, the bigger question is, can he still fight?

In truth, McGregor has been on the slide for a number of years, long before his extended hiatus from the UFC Octagon. In the two fights with Dustin Poirier in 2021, McGregor looked an old fighter. He was stopped twice. McGregor suffered a broken leg in the third fight between the pair. But he was well on his way to defeat long before his leg gave way as the opening round drew to a close. It looked like the end. But the two-weight UFC champion has managed to claw his way back into fighting shape.

McGregor (22-6) has only won one fight since 2016. He has lost three out of his last four fights. All by stoppage. The signs do not look good for the comeback to end with a McGregor victory. Holloway is around 2/5 to win. McGregor a surprisingly short 15/8 betting underdog.

Max Holloway lost on points to McGregor in 2013. History has been kind to that McGregor victory. It looks much better now than it did at that time. Outside of his wins over Jose Aldo and Eddie Alvarez, it might just be his best ever victory. But time has moved on. The expectation is that Holloway will get his revenge in Las Vegas.

But at 34, Holloway has had a long, hard career. Charles Oliveira beat him in March. Holloway looked flat that night. Looking like a fighter who is coming to the end. There might be unknowns about McGregor, and plenty of them, but we can legitimately say there are doubts about Holloway also. But even on his worst night, that would probably be enough to beat this version of Conor McGregor.

McGregor and Holloway will fight at welterweight on Saturday night. Another unknown for Holloway. If McGregor does have anything left, 170 should be perfect for him. But will the added weight be enough? I’m not so sure.

Five rounds is a long time for a fighter who is coming off five years of inactivity and one who will turn 38 next week. The McGregor lifestyle is hardly encouraging. While there are reports McGregor has been disciplined in camp. All the years of abuse will still linger.

McGregor has one chance. To finish it early. He might even have to do it inside the opening five minutes. Anything is possible, but it would seem unlikely.

Holloway is almost certainly all wrong for an ageing, inactive Conor McGregor. There might be some early success. But Holloway just has to wait for McGregor to fade. And he will. It could get uncomfortable viewing, but Holloway will likely get his revenge. And in emphatic fashion. McGregor will not hear the final bell. A fight too far. One of many.