After nearly four years away from the Octagon, UFC megastar Conor McGregor once again sparked fresh hope among fans with a surprising social media post. Following months of teasing retirement, the Irishman appeared to hint at a comeback by dropping a bold message on his Instagram story. Tagging Dana White and TKO Group, he wrote, “@danawhite @tkogrp CALL THAT BIG BUTT NURSE,” a statement strongly implying he’s ready to re-enter the testing pool. He then followed up with, “Let’s get this show started @ufc.”

Naturally, this sudden announcement reignited buzz around Conor McGregor’s previously stated intention to return at UFC’s annual Madison Square Garden event in the fall. But just as fans began to get excited again, reality hit hard. UFC President Dana White promptly shut down the speculation during a chat with Adam Glyn, stating bluntly, “He is not fighting anytime soon. I haven’t talked to him in a minute. I don’t know.” White’s message was clear: McGregor’s return isn’t on the horizon.

Meanwhile, former UFC star Chael Sonnen added to the growing speculation surrounding Conor McGregor’s comeback. He cast serious doubt on whether the Irishman is truly preparing for a return, citingthe Irishman’s inconsistent training habits and flashy lifestyle as major concerns—particularly after seeing a recent side-by-side photo of McGregor and Dana White.

Sonnen remarked, “This article came out with a side-by-side: some quote by Conor, some quote by Dana. I took my glasses off, I put my glasses on—I swear to goodness, Conor looked 10 years older than Dana White. I remember seeing this photo of this fighter that I used to look forward to—and he looked old. You could see it in the eyes. You could see the booze in the eyelids.”

As fame, fortune, and success poured into Conor McGregor’s life, they brought more than just prosperity—they ushered in a wave of distractions and a party-fueled lifestyle that slowly took control. It’s a far cry from the focused, hungry fighter who once declared, “partying is weakness for the soul.” That version of ‘The Notorious’ now feels like a distant memory.

These days, Conor McGregor appears fully absorbed in the perks of celebrity life, having accomplished everything he once strived for. Yet, with two fights still remaining on his contract, many questions have arisen. Fans often saw him partying throughout last year, particularly as speculation grew around his rumored UFC 303 comeback—highlighting just how much he’s changed. Ultimately, that fight never came to fruition.

Conor McGregor’s ex-trainer breaks silence on his downfall

Conor McGregor’s story reads like a Hollywood script. Starting out as a young, broke kid with big dreams, he promised his father he’d become a millionaire one day. Making his mark first in regional fighting circuits, his talent and charisma soon crossed oceans—from Ireland to the UFC in America. This caught the eye of Dana White, who persuaded the Fertitta brothers to give the Irishman a shot. From that moment on, Conor delivered explosive performances that never failed to impress.

His combination of fight skills, big paychecks, and sharp trash talk quickly turned him into a global superstar. The Irishman’s actions significantly increased UFC’s global presence, particularly in regions with minimal MMA awareness. Alongside Dana White, Conor helped build a multimillion-dollar empire—one that forms the solid foundation UFC stands on today. But as Conor McGregor’s wealth grew, so did the distractions. His once relentless hunger began to fade, and his public image became tied to alcohol and other excesses, which started affecting his performance.

In his last four fights, he lost three. In the Netflix documentary McGregor Forever, his longtime cornerman Colin Byrne opened up about Conor’s decline: “He had a dream in his life to become something. He got to be the champion, and then it came with all the other s**. That distraction—it pulls you, it pulls you, it pulls you away from what you wanted to be in the first place.”

What do you make of Chael Sonnen’s comments? Do you believe that, alongside Dana White’s own transformation and changes, McGregor’s career has taken a downward turn? Let us know your thoughts below.