Conor McGregor swears a UFC comeback is imminent, but Islam Makhachev isn’t too sure.
Makhachev, who recently vacated his UFC lightweight title to challenge for the welterweight belt this Saturday at UFC 322, was asked this week about his thoughts on McGregor calling for a return to MMA, and setting his sights on the expected UFC event at The White House next June. Makhachev assured that a comeback for the Irishman isn’t happening, and he believes it has a lot to do with his friend and mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
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“No, this guy is never coming back. Khabib broke his mind, you know,” Makhachev told Complex. “This guy is not coming back. He’s never going to fight anymore. I told this like two years ago, and I still think he’s not going to fight. And now he has disqualification from the anti-doping commission, I heard, and that’s why I think no. Maybe, Jon Jones will come back to fight at the White House, but not Conor.”
Nurmagomedov and McGregor had arguably the most heated rivalry in MMA history. After months of trash talking and a physical incident, the two met at UFC 229 in 2018. That night, Nurmagomedov submitted McGregor, and a huge brawl broke out between the two teams immediately after. Since then, McGregor fought three more times, going 1-2. His last fight was a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in 2021, where he broke his tibia.
Most recently, McGregor was in the headlines after receiving an 18-month suspension from the UFC anti-doping program Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) for failing to disclose his whereabouts, which are part of the rules under the program. McGregor’s ban is scheduled to end on March 20, 2026.
As far as Makahchev’s own interest in fighting at The White House, he likes the idea, especially because it matches with his calendar.
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“Yeah, first time ever. I want to fight there, and it’s good time, you know? Between my fight and The White House, I have full-time to recover and begin new camp.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Islam Makhachev convinced Conor McGregor doesn’t return to MMA
