Conor McGregor is edging closer to his long-awaited UFC return, but newly circulated training footage has only intensified concerns among fans who believe the former two-division champion no longer resembles the explosive fighter who once dominated the sport. The footage, which began spreading widely across Reddit, showed McGregor working on the pads during preparations for his scheduled rematch against Max Holloway at UFC 329 in Las Vegas on July 11. McGregor has not fought since July 2021, when he suffered a devastating leg break during the opening round of his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. Since then, repeated comeback attempts have stalled. A planned return against Michael Chandler in 2024 collapsed after McGregor withdrew because of what was reported as a toe injury, while retirement speculation continued growing around the Irishman during his extended absence from the octagon.
Fans focused heavily on McGregor’s movement and speed in the latest footage
The latest clips immediately triggered debate because many viewers felt McGregor looked unusually heavy, stiff and lacking the fluid movement that once defined his striking. The Irishman appears to have bulked up considerably again, returning to a larger physical frame similar to the power-focused version of himself seen late in his UFC career. Several fans reacted critically underneath the viral clips. “He does not seem smooth at all bro,” one viewer wrote while predicting Holloway could stop him in the third round. “I see stiffness when I look in the McGregor division. They’re stuck in the mud,” another added. One particularly blunt reaction read: “I think he needs the money, but he’s beyond washed. Literally nothing like himself now, he’s a thudding boxer with no speed or power lol.”You can watch the new training video of Conor McGregor posted on Reddit here. The criticism reflects a growing uncertainty surrounding McGregor’s comeback after almost five full years away from active competition.
McGregor has continued projecting confidence ahead of the Holloway rematch
Despite the criticism, McGregor himself has sounded highly motivated throughout the buildup to UFC 329. Earlier this year, he announced the Holloway rematch in typical fashion through social media, claiming he would “son” Holloway again more than 13 years after defeating him by unanimous decision during their first meeting at UFC Fight Night 26 in 2013. That original fight came before either man became a global UFC superstar.
McGregor vs Holloway UFC 329 comeback fight/ Image: X
McGregor later went on to become the promotion’s first simultaneous two-division champion, compiling a professional record of 22 wins and six defeats, while Holloway built one of the strongest featherweight résumés in UFC history with 27 victories and nine losses. Ahead of training camp, McGregor also thanked fans publicly for supporting him during the most difficult stretch of his fighting career. The 37-year-old said the encouragement had given him renewed energy before the comeback, while also praising his coaches and sparring partners for helping sharpen his preparation. McGregor specifically mentioned longtime teammate Nicolo Soli, saying recent sparring sessions had pushed him to improve further. He also insisted he now feels mentally and physically stronger than ever before. “The support from fans has made me excited to begin an intense training camp,” McGregor wrote, while adding that he hopes his comeback can inspire younger fighters around the world.
Other UFC fighters have openly questioned whether McGregor should still be competing
The growing criticism surrounding the footage also comes shortly after several UFC fighters publicly questioned whether McGregor should even return at this stage of his career. British featherweight contender Arnold Allen recently admitted he believes McGregor risks damaging his legacy by continuing to fight. “I don’t think McGregor should come back. He’s made his money,” Allen told SPORTbible ahead of his fight against Melquizael Costa on May 17. “The only thing he can do now is tar his career by staying too long. He’s done everything.” Even with those concerns, McGregor’s comeback remains one of the biggest attractions in combat sports because of the scale of his name, the length of his absence and the uncertainty surrounding what version of him will finally enter the cage against Holloway. There is also already speculation surrounding what could follow if McGregor manages to defeat Holloway in July. One of the names repeatedly linked with a future blockbuster fight is reigning UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, although much of that discussion still depends on whether McGregor can prove he remains competitive after years away from elite-level fighting.
