Conor McGregor’s career almost ended before it truly began. Although McGregor has recently stayed in the spotlight for his off-Octagon escapades, few fighters have ever reached the heights of success he achieved during his peak. Starting strong in the UFC, “The Notorious” became the first fighter to hold both the featherweight and lightweight titles simultaneously, turning into the sport’s biggest star and overshadowing many of his competitors. This success brought him immense fame and fortune in mixed martial arts, but before that rise, he nearly quit.
Coach John Kavanagh revealed that McGregor’s career was on the brink of collapse after the fighter stopped training, worrying his mother enough to intervene. She reached out to Kavanagh, who then gave McGregor an ultimatum: either return to the gym or end his fighting career. Kavanagh recalled calling the young McGregor, who was around 18 or 19 at the time, and telling him, “Go to the gym on Monday or your fighting career is over.” Thankfully, McGregor took the advice to heart, showed up at the gym, and changed his life trajectory. This renewed focus led him to his first UFC title in December 2015, famously knocking out Jose Aldo in just 13 seconds.
Looking ahead, Kavanagh has shared that McGregor remains “absolutely determined” to make a UFC comeback in 2026. Despite a lengthy break, many doubted McGregor’s motivation due to his financial success, but Kavanagh said on the Ariel Helwani Show that McGregor has committed to an intense training program and is already back in the gym. He’s assembled a team and training partners to prepare for what’s expected to be a six to seven-month build-up toward a UFC return.
Fan Take: This update on McGregor’s training and determination is exciting news for MMA fans because it signals the possible return of one of the sport’s most electrifying stars. His comeback could reignite interest, boost viewership, and inspire a new era of competition at the highest levels of UFC.
