dpConor McGregor spent five years away from the octagon nursing injuries and dealing with personal issues. Many expected a tailor-made matchup for his return, but that wasn’t the case.
‘The Notorious’ instead called for a rematch with a man he beat 13 years earlier, Max Holloway. The Irishman had no interest in easing his way back into the unforgiving sport, but the biggest comeback in combat sports history ended before it truly began. Seconds into the UFC 329 headliner, McGregor misplaced a kick, tore his ACL and meniscus in his right leg, and sent his return into turmoil. Disappointment immediately sank in for McGregor fans, having waited half a decade to see him compete again, only for the bout to end in anticlimactic fashion 69 seconds after the opening bell.
Max Holloway’s instant reaction, “Why did you come back?” echoed what most viewers thought while witnessing a once great fighter fall to an injury of his own doing. Despite being glad to see him back, Joe Rogan was confused by Conor McGregor’s willingness to meet one of the best cardio machines in the sport in his first fight back from injury.
McGregor has historically struggled with his cardio and has spent years of blood, sweat, and tears attempting to improve an area of his game that has remained a gaping hole throughout his time in the spotlight. Referencing McGregor’s cardio problem, Rogan said:
“I was shocked that Conor wanted to fight [Holloway] in his first fight back after years off,” Rogan said. “I mean, five years is a long time to not fight. And then to come back and fight a guy like Max who’s been constantly fighting the best guys in the world, and knowing that Max is a guy who never fades. He’s very different.”
Conor McGregor had no shortage of fighters lining up for his return, with Michael Chandler the most heavily linked to face the former two-division world champion for years ahead of his eventual return in July.
Listen to Joe Rogan’s comments on Conor McGregor and more below.
