The former UFC two-division champion has not fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021 – and the Irishman has now been likened to ‘Iron Mike’
Boxing analyst Teddy Atlas believes injuries have caught up with Conor McGregor – just as they did with boxing legend Mike Tyson.
‘The Notorious’ hasn’t fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 back in 2021. The 36-year-old was due to fight Michael Chandler last June, but was forced to pull out of the clash due to injury. The Irishman’s last victory came back in 2020 against Donald Cerrone – with many fans believing his best days are behind him.
Speaking on the Pardon My Take podcast recently, UFC chief Dana White was asked if the former two-division champion will fight this year, with the American responding: “Eventually. Hopefully Conor McGregor returns in the fall of this year.” That said, Atlas believes McGregor isn’t ‘that guy anymore’ following many delays regarding his return to the Octagon.
In an interview with CanadaCasino.Ca, he said: “There’s a window on physical talent. He is older now he’s been through injuries. That physical talent he has, has been inactive, that physical talent is obviously not what it once was. He was a great counter puncher. He could punch. He was a southpaw. He was tremendous in that window of time.”
Atlas, 68, eventually likened the Irishman to Tyson. ‘Iron Mike’ – a former heavyweight world champion – suffered a lot of injuries towards the back end of his career. During his clash against Danny Williams in 2004, Ty͏son ͏suffered a pai͏nful ͏kn͏ee͏ in͏jury before going on to lose via knockout in the fourth round. While many thought it would be the end for the boxing veteran, Tyson decided to return a year later, taking on Kevin McBride. After suffering yet another loss, ‘Iron Mike’ eventually decided to walk away from the sport.
“He was a dangerous puncher where he could where he would catch you with snappy, clean, powerful quick shots, quick hands,” Atlas continued. “He knew how to set it up. He had a good delivery system. He knew how to set up a trap. He was a real good, pure counter puncher.
“He was tremendous, and he was tough, like they all were, because he went through his times where he fought with injuries, but like Mike Tyson, I don’t know that he’s that guy anymore. Forget about all what we want him to be. I don’t know that he’s the same guy anymore.”
Despite McGregor’s boss White insisting that the Irishman will return to the cage this year, it seems as if ‘The Notorious’ has other plans. Last month, the 36-year-old suggested that he was in talks to fight Jake Paul’s older brother Logan Paul. In a post uploaded to X – formerly known as Twitter – he wrote wrote: “The rumours of a bout with Topuria are false. I am in preliminary agreements with the Ambani family to face Logan Paul in a boxing exhibition in India. I have agreed. I will then seek my return to the Octagon.”
The potential clash would see both men net $250 million. After some slight reservations regarding the potential showdown, it would appear that Paul is fully onboard after he was recently filmed pleading to UFC and WWE chief Ari Emanuel, to be permitted to take on ‘The Notorious.’