Conor McGregor hasn`t fought in the UFC for almost four years, and his recent statements strongly suggest his fighting career is likely over.
At a recent BKFC event in Florida, the former UFC two-division champion indicated he declined a potential comeback fight, focusing instead on a possible presidential run in Ireland. McGregor`s remark, “I’m happy with what I’ve done,” sounds more like a retirement announcement than a hint at a future return to the Octagon.
While these comments suggest McGregor is done with fighting, UFC veteran Matt Brown points out that McGregor actually implied this direction early in his career, and now he`s simply fulfilling those early statements.
“He told us what his plan was about 10 years ago,” Brown said on The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast. “Remember him saying, ‘I’m going to come in, dominate, make a lot of money, and then get out of here’?”
“He mentioned that this sport is brutal and you shouldn’t stay too long. He told us this many years ago, and he’s doing exactly what he said.”
Brown had previously stated that McGregor was unlikely to fight again, understanding the allure of fame and attention that comes with being the UFC`s biggest star, which makes it hard to walk away.
This appeal might have kept McGregor considering a comeback, but Brown suggests that with his presidential ambitions in Ireland and co-ownership of BKFC, McGregor has found new ways to stay relevant without competing in fights.
“This isn’t surprising at all,” Brown stated. “He’s finally acknowledging it. He enjoys being in the spotlight, staying relevant, and sharing his opinions. He`s maintained his public presence, and we`re still discussing him.”
“He’s done a great job managing the media. I`ve said before, he’s finished with fighting. I think he’s just confirming what most of us already knew.”
Regarding McGregor`s chances in an Irish election, many political analysts in Ireland believe his odds of winning are slim, similar to initial predictions about Donald Trump in the US.
Unlike the powerful US presidency, the Irish presidency is more of a symbolic role. Brown believes McGregor`s personality might suit this position, but his past controversies could negatively impact his electability.
“He’s a very articulate and charismatic speaker,” Brown noted. “While his public image might not be ideal for representing a country, his communication skills and personality could make him surprisingly effective in that role.”
“However, his reputation is somewhat tarnished by allegations. Regardless of the truth of the [sexual assault] allegations, they exist and are public. This complicates his political prospects. My point is, if those issues weren`t present, he might be very well-suited for the presidency.”
Beyond politics, McGregor has embraced his role as a BKFC promoter after becoming a co-owner. Brown praises McGregor’s enthusiasm for bare-knuckle fighting, seeing it as another way for him to remain in the news without fighting.
“He’s excellent in the BKFC role,” Brown said. “He’s perfectly suited for it. He’s the ideal person for that. Fans love him in this capacity. He has the charisma and energy for it. I think it’s great for BKFC, and bare-knuckle boxing is a really cool sport.”
Whether it’s growing BKFC or pursuing the Irish presidency, Brown recognizes that McGregor has significant commitments outside of fighting.
Brown hopes McGregor finds fulfillment in his future endeavors, as he has achieved everything in his fighting career and may be finally accepting that it`s time to move on.
“I hope he accomplishes great things and conducts himself well,” Brown concluded. “He should take care of himself, represent himself positively, and hopefully improve his life. That’s what’s important. We only live once.”
“He’s not coming back to fighting. Can I officially be recognized as the accurate predictor on this? It wasn`t a difficult prediction. He told us himself. I’m surprised more people didn’t listen. He stated it clearly, and I believe him.”
