For UFC megastar Conor McGregor, the year 2024 has been a challenging one, especially following the Dublin High Court’s ruling in November that found him liable in a civil suit for the assault of 35-year-old Nikita Hand at a Dublin hotel in 2018. The aftermath of the case has dealt a severe blow to the Irishman’s brand, with several major business partners, associates, and sponsors cutting ties.

The fallout was particularly damaging for Conor McGregor’s product lines, including Forged Irish Stout and Proper No. 12 Irish Whiskey. Major retailers across Ireland and the UK, including JD Wetherspoons, Musgrave, Tesco, SPAR, and Londis, removed McGregor-branded alcohol from their shelves, further straining his brand’s visibility. Nevertheless, just over a month since the Dublin High Court’s decision, ‘The Notorious’ seems to be regaining some momentum as 2025 begins.

Recently, The Sun, one of the UK’s leading media outlets, named Forged Irish Stout the best-quality, best-tasting canned stout in the UK. The publication praised Conor McGregor’s brand, calling it the “running stout of tested stouts” during a Guinness shortage, with a description of the beer as a complex and creamy pint. The UFC star shared the story on his Instagram, expressing his pride: “Proud to win this, but we are not surprised! @ForgedIrishStout is INCREDIBLE.”

However, while Conor McGregor has regained some momentum as 2025 begins, brighter days remain far off. At present, Forged Irish Stout is reportedly on the verge of bankruptcy. By December 2024, the company was grappling with debts amounting to £828,492 (roughly $1,038,962), and Forged Stout Distribution Limited also reported substantial losses. These financial struggles are not solely the result of the recent Dublin court ruling; the company has been facing challenges since the post-COVID period.

Furthermore, the Nikita Hand case has only worsened matters, further intensifying the difficulties Conor  McGregor’s alcohol brand faces. As a result, with the Irishman’s associated companies and products at risk of significant losses, a prominent UFC figure has recently cast doubt on his return to the octagon. Let’s uncover who this figure is.

Joe Rogan expressed skepticism about Conor McGregor’s return to the Octagon!

Conor McGregor has now been out of action for four years, with his last appearance in the Octagon taking place in 2021, when he suffered a severe ankle injury. Since that fight, ‘The Notorious’ has made several attempts to return, but various challenges—ranging from conflicts with USADA to business ventures and lingering injuries—have hindered his comeback. Recently, however, a legal setback in his case with Nikita Hand has further soured fans’ hopes of seeing McGregor back in the cage. Although the Irishman denied assaulting Hand during the trial, he did reveal troubling details regarding his substance abuse issues, which have led many to question his future in the sport.

In a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Joe Rogan cast significant doubt on Conor McGregor’s potential return to the Octagon. Rogan highlighted the UFC star’s party lifestyle and ongoing struggles with substance abuse, linking them to McGregor’s current mindset and future prospects in MMA. Rogan remarked, “I don’t know if Conor’s ever going to fight again. I don’t know the real details of that case. I know his version of it, and her version of it, and what played out in court, but the reality is that guy’s partying, and he’s partying real hard, and he talked about it in the court case.”

What are your thoughts about Conor McGregor’s tarnished reputation in the Irish and UK markets? Do you believe his associated brands can regain their former success, or will they remain stagnant, much like his uncertain return to the octagon, which may take years to materialize? Share your opinion below.