“Never forget who was there for you when no one else was.” This quote, often seen across the internet and heard countless times over the past decade, still carries a powerful truth. It reminds us that the people who stand by you through thick and thin are worth far more than money. UFC superstar Conor McGregor is a prime example of this. Though he may not be on good terms with everyone, the Irishman remains fiercely loyal to those who have supported him unconditionally (with the exception of Artem Lobov).

From Dillon Danis to his longtime coach John Kavanagh, those close to Conor McGregor continue to share a strong bond with him, even if they’re not always in the spotlight. Their support has been unwavering over the years. Recently, one of ‘Mystic Mac’s closest allies reached out for help. If you missed it, Colin Byrne is a trainer and cornerman with over 20 years of experience who played a crucial role in guiding the Irishman to become a two-division champion and build his fortune.

Now recovering from surgery, Byrne took to Instagram to update fans and call on Conor Mcgregor. In his latest Instagram story, Colin wrote,

“For the last 4 months I could not walk. Today I had bilateral hip resurfacing. This will allow me to live my physical life again with no restrictions.” He then asked Conor Mcgregor to help him secure a fight in his co-owned Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) promotion: “@THENOTORIOUSMMA BOOK ME A FIGHT FOR THE BULLRING IN THE FALL ON, @BAREKNUCKLEFC.”  McGregor showed his support by reposting the story and responding with, “LIVING LEGEND! Rock on my brother, see you on the mats!”

But Colin Byrne’s contributions go far beyond the MMA cage. Over the years, he’s ventured into filmmaking, mentored young athletes, mastered cycling, and even embraced the role of a self-styled dietician—frequently advocating for the use of peptides to enhance recovery and performance. Now, with a new lease on life after surgery, Byrne seems eager to return to the combat sports scene—just as Conor McGregor continues to grow his involvement in the BKFC world.

Still, Byrne has never been one to mince words. While he’s shown unwavering support for Conor McGregor over the years, he hasn’t hesitated to critique him either—especially during the Irishman’s turbulent career phases. More than just a teammate, Byrne has at times sounded like a tough-love mentor, unafraid to point out where things went wrong.

So, what exactly did Colin Byrne say about the downfall of one of the UFC’s biggest icons? Let’s rewind to some of his sharpest takes on McGregor’s fall from the top.

Throwback: Conor McGregor’s trainer reflects on his downfall

Anyone familiar with MMA knows the story of Conor McGregor—a journey rooted in grit and struggle. Hailing from Dublin, McGregor turned professional in 2008. But it wasn’t until he connected with coach John Kavanagh that things truly began to shift. Kavanagh recognized the fire in ‘The Notorious’s eyes and believed in his potential from day one. Even then, financial stability remained out of reach. As the Irishman once revealed, “I was collecting 188 euro a week.”

But through sheer determination and electrifying performances on the regional circuit, he eventually caught the eye of the UFC and Dana White. From there, his rise was nothing short of explosive. Fame and fortune followed, transforming him from a struggling young fighter to a global superstar. But with that fame came distractions. The hunger that once fueled him began to wane. Partying, headlines, and the trappings of celebrity slowly pulled him away from the very thing that made him great.

The same intensity that carried him to the top started to fade—and so did his dominance inside the octagon. It’s now been nearly four years since Conor McGregor’s last fight, dating back to 2021. In the 2023 Netflix documentary “McGregor Forever,” longtime cornerman and trainer Colin Byrne offered rare insight into UFC’s star’s decline. Speaking with honesty and affection, Byrne said:

“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.”

With Conor McGregor’s return to the Octagon still uncertain, what’s your verdict—does he have one last comeback left in him? Can he rise again after all the adversity he’s faced? Share your thoughts below.