The rap game has just gotten an unexpected shake-up, and it’s coming from an unlikely source: the fight world. Conor McGregor, who is now four years removed from his last UFC outing, may have just scored his biggest knockout yet—but this time in the music industry. With rap icons and chart-topping songs at stake, Snoop Dogg has just thrown his weight behind a project that isn’t his own. And at the center of it all is McGregor’s new musical protégé, Xzibit, a veteran who has been out of the spotlight for more than a decade.

But what exactly happened that has the music world buzzing? When Snoop Dogg shared the Apple Music Top Hip-Hop/Rap Albums chart on his Instagram, fans immediately noticed that his album ‘Iz It a Crime?’ stood comfortably at number one. But immediately beneath it, at number two, came something considerably more intriguing: Kingmaker, Xzibit’s return album, supported and released by McGregor’s Greenback Records.

And to make matters more interesting, while Snoop did not include a caption, the picture showed that the hip-hop legend had purchased the newest album by the McGregor-led record, and it surely screamed louder than words. It was a respectful salute from one hip-hop legend to another, as well as an acknowledgment of the Irishman’s growing popularity outside the cage.

‘The Notorious’ saw this as more than just hype. Sharing Snoop’s post on his Instagram story, he wrote a proud caption that read, “That KINGMAKER album is NEXT LEVEL.” And he might not be mistaken. The album, which was released on May 16, 2025, is Xzibit’s full-fledged return, with 20 tracks and a guest list that reads like a hall-of-fame lineup, including Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Redman, Busta Rhymes, Ty Dolla $ign, and others.

This is more than just Xzibit’s return; it’s Conor McGregor’s arrival. After launching Greenback Records in July 2024, the Irishman promised to shake up the music industry in the same manner he had the UFC. Signing Xzibit in September was the first big move, and now that Kingmaker is close to the top of the charts, leaving Kendrick Lamar and Nicki Minaj in the dust with their albums being in the 3rd and 4th spots, respectively, the Irishman’s label is more than just a side venture; it’s a statement!

While ‘The Notorious’ delays his return to the cage, he is already supporting a different kind of comeback — one that has the potential to shift hip-hop’s power dynamic. Now that Xzibit and Greenback Records are making noise, the entire world is waiting to see what he does next. Maybe, inspired by Xzibit, he might even make a UFC comeback? Well, what are the odds of that happening?

Dana White gives major update on Conor McGregor’s much-awaited return

Just as it appeared that Conor McGregor was going to reclaim his throne — not in the Octagon, but in the studio — reality struck back in the shape of UFC CEO Dana White. As fans marveled at McGregor’s rising influence in the music industry, speculation over his fighting future resurfaced. Could ‘The Notorious’ truly channel his newfound fire back into the cage? According to White, the answer isn’t just not yet, but maybe never.

In a recent clip, Dana White dashed hopes for Conor McGregor’s long-awaited homecoming. “He will not fight in the near future. I haven’t spoken to him in a minute, but yes, I don’t know,” the head honcho said, casting doubt on any hopes of a 2025 return. Despite McGregor’s constant social media teasing, which ranges from presidential runs to bare-knuckle crossovers, it’s evident that the man previously famed for shaking up the fight game is, at best, in limbo.

Whether it’s lingering injuries, promotional distractions, or outright disinterest, the fighting fire appears to be fading. With no clear date in sight and Dana White admitting he hasn’t spoken to Conor McGregor in months, his chances of a near-future return appear slimmer than ever. But what do you think? Will the Irishman make a massive return in 2025? Let us know in the comments.