UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik has reiterated his belief that Conor McGregor's time competing in mixed martial arts is not yet up.
As has been the case for the best part of a year and a half since his comeback was first announced, considerable uncertainty surrounds the career status of McGregor, the promotion's first-ever simultaneous two-division champion.
The Irishman has struggled for both activity and positive results since he achieved that feat in 2016, going 1-3 across four fights in over seven years. The manner of his most recent setback — a gruesome broken leg suffered in the first round of his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier in 2021 — left many suggesting the Irishman had entered the cage for the last time.
Those theories continued throughout 2023 when no news came on his planned fight against Michael Chandler following their stint as opposition coaches on The Ultimate Fighter. And while the bout was eventually set for UFC 303 last month, a toe injury led to McGregor's withdrawal on late notice.
That's once again brought about claims that McGregor is unlikely to make the walk again. Anik, however, has remained firm on his belief that the Irishman has an itch that must be scratched inside the cage...
Anik Doubles Down On McGregor Return Prediction
During a recent appearance on MMA Junkie Radio, Anik gave his thoughts on the uncertainty around McGregor's long-awaited comeback, having previously predicted the Dubliner to rattle of consecutive fights in short time upon his return.
The UFC's lead play-by-play commentator reiterated that stance, explaining that factors outside of the cage such as wealth and material goods that some use to dismiss his motivation to compete would be more enjoyable for McGregor after additional Octagon assignments.
I guess I'm frustrated. That's probably the right verb when it comes to some of Conor McGregor's inactivity. But largely, I think a lot of this has been out of his control," Anik said. "It's not always easy being the biggest superstar in mixed martial arts. It certainly isn't easy when you snap your leg in half, you know? And then obviously he had a setback in this most recent training camp.
I've gotta stay consistent in terms of my thesis statement on Conor. It's that he's going to enjoy the yacht life a whole lot more with a couple more MMA scalps, or at the very least fights, high-profile fights," Anik continued. "He came back and fought Dustin back-to-back, right, and then snapped his leg in two. I still believe that there's an itch that can only be scratched in the Octagon for Conor McGregor.
It remains to be seen whether or not McGregor will prove Anik's remarks true later this year. But his recent return to "yacht life" on social media following the UFC 303 cancellation has seemingly left some fans fearing the worst...