Conor McGregor returns to the octagon this Saturday in Las Vegas after a five-year hiatus, but the fighter who once transformed the UFC is a shadow of his former self. The 37-year-old Irishman faces Max Holloway in a rematch that feels more like a cash grab than a quest for glory.
A fall from grace
McGregor's last fight ended in a catastrophic leg fracture in 2021, a defeat that capped a decline from his peak. Since then, his reputation has been tarnished by a civil jury verdict finding him guilty of raping Nikita Hand in 2018, as well as far-right political stances and endorsements from figures like Tucker Carlson and Elon Musk. A 2025 poll showed just one in 10 Irish voters considered him a viable presidential candidate.
The UFC's gamble
Despite the controversies, the UFC and its rights partner Paramount+ are banking on McGregor's star power. The weigh-ins on Friday will air on CBS, and the gate is expected to break the company record of $21,892,245. UFC president Dana White has long championed McGregor, recalling how Irish fans in Dublin demanded he sign the then-unknown featherweight in 2013.
McGregor's debut in Stockholm, a 67-second knockout of Marcus Brimage, convinced White he was the "real deal." But now, the illusion of the invincible fighter is harder to maintain. As White noted, the UFC has never confused morality with marketability.
A divided reception
McGregor's visit to the White House for St Patrick's Day in 2025 drew sharp criticism from Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, who said his remarks "do not reflect the spirit of St Patrick's Day, or the views of the people of Ireland." McGregor, undeterred, insists he is "who I say I am."
Fans will tune in hoping for a miracle or a meltdown, but the outcome may be immaterial. The Conor McGregor who once held audiences with his words and deeds is long gone, replaced by a performance artist whose act is wearing thin.
