Conor McGregor’s comeback resulted in devastating style when the previous two-division champion blew out his knee on the primary kick he took in opposition to Max Holloway at UFC 329.
It was the worst-case situation for McGregor, who had been on the shelf for 5 years whereas recovering from a damaged foot in a 2021 battle with Dustin Poirier. Regardless of all of the hypothesis a few pre-existing situation, former UFC welterweight Matt Brown does not suppose McGregor was prepared for the battle, as an alternative saying he simply made an unlucky transfer with a roundhouse kick that got here again to chew him.
“I believe the rationale it occurred was that Connor was nervous,” Brown defined on the newest episode of the TV present. Fighter vs. Author. “I assumed Max’s phrases had been excellent. I believe his knees had been weak. He was nervous. I do not suppose he was 100% himself. Lots of people had been speaking about that. I am not an individual who judges physique language so much, as a result of physique language As a result of I made the error of judging Ji after which they carried out nice. I do not suppose that is essentially the easiest way to take a look at it, however he is at all times been a man with very, very excessive self-confidence, and he is lived as much as that. He is at all times stated he is going to do this.
“Loads of confidence has been taken away from him. So that you say all the appropriate issues, you push your self, you go into the sport feeling good, however someplace behind his thoughts he knew there was no proof to again up what he was saying. I may beat anybody, I am this, I am that, however you may win a sport for 5 years. He wasn’t doing it, he was ingesting and he was on a yacht, and he misplaced the final battle anyway (with a damaged leg). All of this stuff.” It contradicted what he was telling himself, and it added to the stress, and I believe he could have been feeling good, however deep down he was truly nervous. ”
On the floor, McGregor regarded like he has in lots of his previous fights. He introduced the identical swagger to the cage that made him a two-division champion and one of many greatest attracts in UFC historical past.
However deep down, Brown believes McGregor knew he had a lot energy on this comeback that he could not afford to slide up and make a mistake. Sadly, McGregor solely acquired one kick earlier than his dream return become a whole nightmare.
“He did not present it very a lot,” Brown stated. “He is Conor McGregor, one of many best showmen of all time. He is not going to return in wanting fucking nervous, which might be silly of him too. However deep down inside, the motherfucker was nervous. Once more, that is what Max stated – he was weak within the knees. I believe that is precisely what occurred.”
“He had a plan to return out with that kick and he executed it. That being stated, kudos to Conor. He goes for the celebs. He goes for the most important bag he can get. He went for Max Holloway. That is fucking credit score. It did not work out.”
Brown insists that McGregor actually wanted a prelude to his return slightly than dealing with somebody like Holloway, who continues to be ranked within the high 5 lightweights on the earth. In fact, he additionally is aware of that the UFC is not within the enterprise of placing on fights like that, so maybe McGregor had no actual selection however to face whoever the group threw at him.
“That is precisely what boxers do once they have warm-up fights and make changes to fights,” Brown stated. “That is precisely why I’m going to attempt to transfer up the rankings. Because of this I’m not going to battle Max Holloway in 5 years.
“Look, Conor is a mentally robust man. He’ll in all probability be positive, he’ll have the ability to come again and battle. It is not a good suggestion to return again and battle a world championship stage man. It’s important to alter and battle. That is precisely why they do issues like this.”
For a lot of the previous 5 years, the most important query surrounding McGregor was whether or not he would truly battle once more. Given the character of the leg fracture he suffered in 2021 and his huge wealth, McGregor didn’t have to compete, however he firmly believed he would finally return.
Whereas the end result of UFC 329 could convey those self same questions again to the floor, McGregor wasted no time in addressing his future, posting on Monday that he plans to get well from surgical procedure and return to coaching earlier than returning for his “final battle on his contract” with the UFC.
Judging by this assertion, McGregor is raring to meet his present UFC contract and transfer on to free company, doubtlessly incomes an enormous payday in BKFC, boxing, or in opposition to names like Nate Diaz, Jake Paul, and Mike Perry.
Nevertheless, if McGregor decides to depart the UFC, the promotion may find yourself burying the Irish celebrity slightly than giving him a matchup that sends him out with a win.
“Wanting again, that is in all probability why he did not battle Michael Chandler ultimately,” Brown stated. “That is a really winnable battle for him. In all probability one of many higher matchups for him. What is the scenario that the UFC has to take care of proper now? As a result of they want him to lose, proper? If he does not re-sign, it is like they will lose. We’ll lion you, however on the identical time, they should make it the appropriate matchup.
“It is apparent if they offer him Islam (Makhachev), however they did not give it, and so they did not give it to Carlos Prates. It form of highlights the plain level. We wish you to lose and be devalued on the way in which out. That is what UFC I do not suppose it seems to be good. I do not know. Does it actually look good simply to place it on the market? To be truthful, that is the UFC. You are purported to battle a lion.”
