Conor McGregor’s return to the UFC lasted just over a minute before a knee injury stopped his fight against Max Holloway at UFC 329. Soon after, former interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier shared his thoughts on what he saw inside the Octagon. Speaking on a clip shared by boxing trainer Teddy Atlas, Poirier said McGregor looked physically fit but felt his face appeared “bloated” and “unhealthy.” He also questioned whether the former two-division champion could return to his old level if the injury turns out to be a torn ACL. Poirier stressed that these were his personal observations and said he would not want to see McGregor continue fighting if he could no longer compete at the highest level.
Dustin Poirier shares his thoughts on Conor McGregor after UFC 329
Looking back at McGregor’s comeback, Poirier explained that his first impression was mixed. He said, “That could be because he’s living an unhealthy lifestyle. I don’t know what’s going on. His body looked fit, his face looked unhealthy.”Poirier did not claim to know the reason behind McGregor’s appearance. Instead, he made it clear that he was sharing his own opinion and added that he did not know what was happening behind the scenes.McGregor’s comeback ended early after he injured his knee during the opening round against Max Holloway. The fight was stopped before fans could see much action, leaving questions about when the former champion will compete again. McGregor has since confirmed that he plans to undergo surgery before working toward one final fight on his current UFC contract.
Dustin Poirier believes another serious injury could change Conor McGregor’s career
Poirier also spoke about what the reported knee injury could mean for McGregor’s future. He said, “If it’s a torn ACL, after 5 years away, at his age I think he’s done. He’ll never come back the same.”The former UFC title challenger explained that long layoffs become even harder to overcome later in a fighter’s career, especially after a major knee injury. His comments reflected concern about whether McGregor could once again compete with the sport’s top fighters.Poirier also said he hopes McGregor protects the legacy he has already built.He added, “With the record-breaking career he’s had, I’d hate to see him be a freak show fighter. That’s not real fighting to me.”The two fighters know each other well after meeting three times inside the Octagon. McGregor won their first fight in 2014, while Poirier claimed victories in their two rematches in 2021.As of now, the UFC has not announced a return date for McGregor. He has publicly stated that surgery and rehabilitation are his immediate priorities before he considers stepping back into competition. Until more medical updates are released, questions about his comeback remain unanswered.
