Conor McGregor gave one of his most emotional press conferences ahead of his UFC return, speaking openly about the difficult years that kept him away from the Octagon. The former two-division champion became emotional while discussing alcohol, fame, his long break from fighting and the civil sexual assault case brought by Nikita Hand. McGregor again said he is innocent and insisted he will continue fighting to clear his name as he prepares to face Max Holloway at UFC 329.
Conor McGregor says he is innocent as he reflects on difficult years away from UFC
Speaking to reporters in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Conor McGregor addressed the civil case that has remained a major talking point during his absence from the UFC. In November 2024, a Dublin civil jury found him liable in a case brought by Nikita Hand and ordered him to pay damages. McGregor once again rejected the allegations and said he would continue defending himself.“I am an innocent man and I will stand for my innocence until the day I go out. That is still a situation where I fight. There’s a reason it didn’t go where it went, and it instead went to a civil trial. It is what it is.“It stings deep but I continue to fight. I know the truth. And I know that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord.“I know anything done in darkness will soon come to light, and I trust in God that it’s coming. You best believe it’s coming. I look very, very forward to the day.”The former UFC champion also became emotional while looking back at the years he spent away from competition. Holding back tears, McGregor admitted the period had been one of the hardest times of his life.“I don’t want to get into this terribly but it was a few tough years. It’s been a tough one but God works in mysterious ways. It is all as it should be. Maybe it wasn’t meant to be at that time.”
Conor McGregor explains how fame, money and alcohol changed his life before UFC comeback
McGregor also spoke honestly about how his life changed after reaching the top of the sport. He pointed to his 2017 boxing match against Floyd Mayweather and the success of his Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey brand as turning points that affected him personally.When asked if wealth led him down the same path many famous athletes experience, McGregor answered, “Obviously.”He then explained how alcohol slowly became a bigger part of his life.“You know in 2017, I’m a double-weight world champion, Floyd Mayweather-banked. Then I launch an Irish whiskey. I didn’t drink heavily, if at all, at that time in my life. I was an athlete at the top of my game.“Next thing you know, there’s thousands and thousands of bottles in my garage. ‘Sell this, Conor.’ Ok, I’d leave my property with two bottles under my arm. And that was it, I was caught.”McGregor ended by saying his faith has helped him deal with the setbacks and prepare for another chance inside the Octagon.“God gave me these lessons. I was trapped and caught. I trust in God. I trust in my journey. And I trust in the truth. And if the world is against the truth, then I am against the world. That is where I stand.”McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. A scheduled fight with Michael Chandler was cancelled after he suffered a broken toe, while an 18-month suspension for three drug-test whereabouts failures delayed his return further. With that suspension now over, he is set to face Max Holloway in the UFC 329 main event.
