Reason Why Conor McGregor’s UFC Comeback May Never Happen—“It’s Over”

Conor McGregor has built a career on headline-making moments, but at this stage, his greatest fight may be against time itself. Despite years of teasing a return, the former UFC double champion hasn’t set foot in the Octagon since 2021. For many — including Daniel Cormier — the story of McGregor’s comeback is beginning to sound like the boy who cried wolf.

Cormier Calls It Done

On a recent appearance with Club Shay Shay, Cormier didn’t hold back when asked about McGregor’s fighting future.

“It’s over for him,” Cormier said flatly. “Conor McGregor … he’s trippin’. He made way too much [money]. He went from plumbing to making … he sold that liquor for what, $500 million? It’s too much. He got $100 million for fighting Floyd [Mayweather]. Then he was doing pay-per-views like nothing. Him and Khabib did two and a half million. Conor says he wants to fight all the time and everybody kind of … they jump to it. But it’s like, he wants to stay relevant. He wants the notoriety of being Conor McGregor without having to be Conor McGregor. And that kind of sucks because when he was the man, I bet you tapped into the UFC more than ever because he could sell a fight. He was very good.”

Cormier’s take is one shared by many fans: McGregor is still the biggest name in the sport, but the hunger and edge that once made him must-watch may be gone.

The Money Changed Everything

Cormier’s point hits on a harsh reality — once a fighter earns generational wealth, it’s nearly impossible to recapture the drive that fueled their rise. McGregor went from a struggling plumber in Dublin to a global icon worth hundreds of millions. He doesn’t need to fight, which makes his constant comeback talk sound more like brand maintenance than genuine preparation for war.

Dana White Still Betting on McGregor

UFC CEO Dana White isn’t ready to bury the McGregor era just yet. White has gone as far as to say he’d headline McGregor over Jon Jones for the blockbuster UFC White House card in summer 2026. That loyalty comes from knowing McGregor remains the sport’s biggest draw, win or lose.

Adding fuel to the speculation is McGregor’s decision to quietly re-enter the UFC’s drug testing pool, signaling at least some intent to keep fighting as an option. Whether that leads to an actual return is another question entirely.

MainEvent.News | Backstage Take

Conor McGregor is still the biggest star MMA has ever produced, but Daniel Cormier is right — his comeback story is hanging by a thread. Every year that passes makes it harder to believe we’ll ever see him truly fight again. The UFC needs him because he moves numbers that no one else can, but McGregor himself doesn’t need the UFC anymore. Unless there’s something bigger than money to motivate him, we may already be watching the closing credits of the “Notorious” era.