Conor McGregor concerns grow weeks after worrying footage emerged as 'sad' prediction made
Conor McGregor's UFC return looks increasingly unlikely, with commentator Joe Rogan admitting it's 'sad' to think the Irishman could come back when his body is past it
Joe Rogan has acknowledged that Conor McGregor's non-stop partying could dampen his UFC comeback hopes - a comment coming just weeks after the MMA legend was seen living it up in Dublin. The 36-year-old fighter has stepped away from the Octagon for nearly four years, with his last fight taking place in 2021 when he suffered a broken tibia and fibula during a TKO defeat by Dustin Poirier.
McGregor has been sidetracked by injuries and legal disputes, which hindered prospects for a return to the ring. A much-anticipated bout at UFC 303 against Michael Chandler was postponed last year due to an injured toe on McGregor’s part.
Nonetheless, MMA commentator Rogan believes it's McGregor’s love for a good party that poses the greatest barrier to him stepping back into the sport.
During an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience featuring ex-UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, Rogan said: "Also partying, constant partying," reports Dublin Live.
"All these legal problems that he has, scooting around on yachts, and driving around in a Lamborghini. He's wealthy, what's really sad is if he comes back when he's like 39 or 40 and his body just doesn't have it anymore."
The conversation on Rogan's popular podcast echoed amid recent sightings of the former two-division UFC titleholder out with YouTube crew, the NELK Boys.
McGregor was the life of the party during a St. Patrick's Day weekend celebration at his Black Forge Inn in Dublin, where he belted out Robbie Williams' "Angels" and enjoyed a pint of his Forged Irish Stout.
The festivities included McGregor letting a member of the popular group hold one of his UFC belts and sharing a warm embrace as the night wound down. But the revelry didn't stop there — the Black Forge owner treated the content creators to a round of tequila rose.
Rogan, when quizzed by Topuria about the chances of McGregor making a comeback to the UFC, expressed doubt on his podcast. "If I had to bet, no," Rogan said. "No, I don't think he comes back, because he hasn't come back yet, and he could have.
"If he really wanted to, he would have been back in the gym, had a fight scheduled, drug tested, clean, training, gone through a camp, and had a fight. He had a broken toe before his fight against Chandler. I understand that. OK, why should you fight with a broken toe?"