Conor McGregor is finally talking like a man eager to fight again, and for once, his actions seem to match his words. After years of uncertainty, canceled comebacks, and more controversy than preparation, the Irishman is back in the gym and planning for a certain date: the UFC’s White House event in June. It’s the type of stage he loves and the opportunity he’s been looking for since the injuries and setbacks piled up.

However, the outside world is not yet convinced. Fans have witnessed too many false starts, chaotic months, and versions of ‘The Notorious’ who didn’t look prepared for a real fight. So, while his camp is confident, reactions from fellow fighters such as Jake and Logan Paul have been full of skepticism, particularly now that he’s vying for a headline spot on one of the most high-profile UFC shows in history.

Logan and Jake Paul doubt Conor McGregor’s match fitness

Logan Paul and Jake Paul don’t mince words when the subject of McGregor’s readiness to compete again comes up. While talking to Sean O’Malley on his YouTube channel, ‘The Maverick’ claimed that it is practically impossible to determine McGregor’s level because his training footages available on social media don’t inspire much belief anymore.

“You see him hitting pads, and he gets roasted on Twitter because everyone’s like, ‘What the f— happened to this guy?’” Logan said, pointing out how different ‘The Notorious’ looks from the guy fans grew up with. Jake Paul added his own jab, pointing out how unstable the situation surrounding Conor McGregor has appeared for years.

“He’s got, like, a new coach every time,” he said, implying that the past champion has suffered from a lack of consistency. To the Paul brothers, the question is not whether the Irishman still wants to fight, but whether his body and preparation can keep up with his ambition. They’re not discounting him, but they’re certainly not buying into the hype either, despite all the talk about his spiritual change.

Inside McGregor’s camp, however, the message is the opposite. According to the Irishman’s coach, John Kavanagh, Conor McGregor is showing up on a consistent basis, has requested a full training schedule from now until June, and has already assembled a team of sparring partners for both the gym and at home. According to Kavanagh, ‘The Notorious’ is genuinely engaged and loving his work again.

He claims McGregor has been sending him messages continuously demanding more structure and pressing on making the walk in June. After the broken leg, a canceled Michael Chandler fight, and years of wandering, Conor McGregor finally appears to be moving with purpose, even if the rest of the world needs convincing. But who will he be going up against? Well, the coach has provided an update on that front as well.

McGregor’s coach name-drops an ideal opponent for the 2026 return

With Conor McGregor finally pushing toward a serious comeback, Kavanagh did not dodge the subject of who should be standing opposite from him. He went straight to Michael Chandler, the opponent McGregor has been linked to for years. Their UFC 303 fight crumbled before it even happened, and Kavanagh still sees ‘Iron’ as the cleanest, most obvious matchup for a 2026 return.

He pointed out that Chandler hasn’t stopped calling for a fight, and their chemistry hasn’t faded either. Their personalities clash in a way that draws attention, and their styles naturally result in the high-speed, high-impact fight that fans anticipate from both guys. “I think the matchup makes sense… it would be a fun fight week, press conference, all of that,” Kavanagh told Ariel Helwani, emphasizing that there is no better option.

What gives him confidence is the version of ‘The Notorious’ he sees now: more composed, present, and significantly less distracted. Kavanagh discussed Conor McGregor’s “spiritual awakening” and how the atmosphere around him feels different. Family visits, quieter sessions, and a more structured routine have replaced the chaos. For Kavanagh, Michael Chandler is the matchup he believes fits best as the first real step back.