As Conor McGregor prepares to make his long-awaited return to the UFC, the former two-division champion is opening up about the personal struggles that nearly derailed one of the most iconic careers in mixed martial arts history.
Speaking in an interview with Paramount, McGregor reflected on how life changed after becoming one of the biggest stars in combat sports.
“Fame has its pitfalls,” McGregor said. “You better move carefully in this world, for sure, probably even more so now.”
“I’ve taken a lot of lessons in my life, and it’s just about self-discovery. Studying yourself. Learning yourself. Learning triggers.”
“I find myself even now still in a fight with an old version of me or old ways that don’t serve me.”
The comments represent one of McGregor’s most candid acknowledgments of the challenges he has faced away from competition.
The Mayweather Fight Changed Everything
Conor McGregor believes the turning point came following his blockbuster boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2017. The crossover bout reportedly earned McGregor well over $100 million and elevated him from UFC superstar to worldwide celebrity.
Before facing Mayweather, McGregor had already made history by becoming the first fighter in UFC history to simultaneously hold championships in two weight classes after capturing the lightweight title in 2016.
Looking back, McGregor believes achieving every major goal so early in his career left him searching for purpose. “At 27 years of age, I had the game conquered,” McGregor said.
“What more was I to do? I got lost. I got lost in it. Made some mistakes off of that, and that’s it.”
A Career Looking for Redemption
Since the Mayweather fight, McGregor’s UFC career has been filled with setbacks. He has gone just 1-3 inside the Octagon and suffered a devastating broken leg during his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier in July 2021, sidelining him for years.
Outside the cage, McGregor has also dealt with multiple legal controversies that have kept him in the headlines throughout his absence from competition. Despite those obstacles, McGregor believes his passion for fighting has never disappeared.
“You’ll always come back if you truly love something,” he said. “You’ll always come home.”
A Familiar Opponent Awaits
Standing across from Conor McGregor at UFC 329 will be a familiar face. McGregor first fought Max Holloway in August 2013 during the early stages of both men’s UFC careers, earning a unanimous decision victory over the future featherweight champion.
Much has changed in the 13 years since that meeting. Holloway has built a Hall of Fame resume, captured the UFC featherweight title, and added the BMF championship to his collection, while McGregor became the biggest draw the sport has ever seen before stepping away from competition.
Now, the two legends meet again with McGregor hoping to complete one of the most anticipated comeback stories in UFC history.
For the former champion, UFC 329 isn’t simply about winning another fight it’s about proving that after years of success, setbacks, and self-reflection, he has finally found his way back home.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
