Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor has suggested he could finish his career in combat sports with a return to the boxing ring.
McGregor was last in action at UFC 264 last month. In a blockbuster main event, the Irishman fell to his second loss this year against Dustin Poirier. After “The Diamond” leveled their rivalry at 1-1 with a victory at UFC 257 in January, the trilogy fight was expected to end their feud once and for all.
Instead, a horrific leg break suffered by McGregor in the finals seconds of the opening round signaled an anticlimactic end to the highly anticipated headliner. Having had successful surgery, the 33-year-old expects a return to his best in 2022. Despite targeting a fourth meeting with Poirier, McGregor seemingly still has his eyes partly set on a return to the squared circle.
McGregor has so far fought once as a professional boxer. In a memorable crossover bout with the legendary Floyd Mayweather in 2017, the Irishman fell short after being finished in the 10th round by “Money.”
But with talks of a clash with Manny Pacquiao, and given the type of performance he gave at UFC 257, many have suggested that McGregor is gearing up for a return to boxing.
During a recent Q&A session on Twitter, McGregor fueled those thoughts with the answer he gave when asked whether he’ll be switching full-time to the sport towards the end of his career.
“Possibly. The leg tho will be more than equipped to kick. I am billi walking straight to a title shot on my return and it sickens the bums of this business. Which is the real reason these constant disrespectful comments come by way. God bless them.”
While leaving the door open for a switch to boxing, McGregor also reiterated his desire to return to MMA action upon the completion of his recovery, and work his way back to a UFC championship.
Do you think Conor McGregor should make a full-time switch to professional boxing before the end of his combat sports career?