It has now been over four years since Conor McGregor‘s last set foot inside the Octagon. His most recent fight at UFC 264 in 2021 ended in disaster when he suffered a horrific leg break in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier. Despite repeatedly vowing to return, a string of setbacks has derailed his comeback—be it his Hollywood commitments, a partying lifestyle, USADA complications, or even an injury as minor as a pinky toe issue. ‘The Notorious’s troubles escalated further last year when a Dublin High Court found him liable in a civil suit filed by a 35-year-old woman, Nikita Hand, who accused him of assaulting her in 2018.

The ruling sparked widespread backlash, leading several of his business associates to sever ties with him. Amid the controversy, Conor McGregor made a shocking announcement in December, claiming on X that he was in “preliminary negotiations with the Ambani family” for a boxing match against YouTuber-turned-WWE star Logan Paul. However, the rumor faded as quickly as it surfaced, leaving fans with one lingering question—will the Irishman ever return to the Octagon? The best person to weigh in on the matter is none other than the last man to fight him, Dustin Poirier.

In a recent interview with talkSPORT MMA, ‘The Diamond’ was asked, “Do you think we’ll ever see him in the Octagon again?” Without hesitation, he replied, “Your guess is as good as mine.” Dustin Poirier admitted that, at first, he was optimistic about Conor McGregor’s comeback. However, with time passing, his confidence has waned. “But the longer this drags on, and the more fights he announces only for them to fall apart, I’m losing hope,” the Louisiana native said, referencing the Irishman’s recent erratic social media behavior and his ongoing feuds with Khabib Nurmagomedov and fellow Irish MMA fighter Paul Hughes.

Tension still lingers between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. Intense animosity marked their last meeting inside the Octagon, with ‘The Notorious’ even taking personal jabs at Poirier’s wife, Jolie. Though time has passed since their heated rivalry, the question remains—has the Louisiana native truly moved on from the bad blood? Let’s take a closer look.

Dustin Poirier issues a warning to Conor McGregor

“Your wife is in me DMs, hey baby! Hit me back up and I’ll chat to you later on.” Those were Conor McGregor’s final words to Dustin Poirier inside the Octagon at UFC 264 in 2021. Despite lying on the canvas with a gruesome leg injury, the Irishman’s trash talk didn’t stop, taking aim at Poirier’s wife in front of a packed arena. It was yet another example of why McGregor remains one of the most notorious talkers in combat sports.

Years later, Dustin Poirier‘s stance on Conor McGregor hasn’t wavered. In a recent interview with talkSPORT, ‘The Diamond’ was asked if he and ‘The Notorious’ had been on good terms since their last fight. Without hesitation, the Louisiana native shut down the idea: “No, of course not. We will fight to the death if I see him… I don’t respect him as a man. As an athlete and a fighter, he’s done some incredible things. He’s very gifted and is special in that way when it comes to combat, but as a human being? Nah.”

The rivalry between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor stands among the most heated in UFC history. They’ve faced off three times, with the Irishman claiming victory in their first encounter. However, ‘The Diamond’ responded with back-to-back wins, knocking McGregor out in the second round of their rematch before securing a first-round stoppage in their trilogy fight at UFC 264.

What do you think lies ahead for Conor McGregor? Will he make a successful return to the Octagon, or was UFC 264 the final chapter of his career? Have his best days already passed? Share your thoughts below.