Latest news with #TheNotorious
News18
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
The McGregor Mirage: Will Conor (Ever) Return?
Last Updated: McGregor's recent video has sparked speculation about a potential return. Despite his dramatic flair and past retirements, doubts remain due to his prior losses and long layoff. Conor McGregor's latest social-media bomb—a clip of 'The Notorious" bobbing, throwing combinations and hooks—has ignited the MMA world's collective imagination. Is the former two-division champion gearing up for a seismic UFC comeback at White House, or is this just another well-timed tease? A closer look at McGregor's history of phantom retirements and pullouts suggests caution. His recent shadow-boxing video may get fans salivating, but the reality of ring rust, past cancellations, and a decidedly lacklustre showing against Dustin Poirier raise serious doubts about what we'll see if—and when—McGregor truly returns. The Art of the Tease McGregor recently posted a short clip, showing him moving through silent combinations. The impresario's caption— 'I gave my first blood test, that's what the plaster is on my shoulder. I am ECSTATIC! I'm in SHAPE!" —would be irresistible to the MMA observer. Conor McGregor says he's officially back in the UFC's testing pool 👀'I gave my first blood test, that's what the plaster is on my shoulder. I am ECSTATIC! I'm in SHAPE!" 🎥 @TheNotoriousMMA — Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 30, 2025 Yet McGregor's flair for drama is inseparable from his flair for self-promotion. His prior 'retirement" announcements have repeatedly proven to be bargaining chips as much as genuine career pivots. In 2016, McGregor withdrew from UFC 200 media obligations only to reschedule and deliver a blockbuster rematch with Nate Diaz. After the Khabib Nurmagomedov defeat in 2018, another proclaimed retirement evaporated at the first hint of a lucrative boxing payday. And most recently, McGregor bowed out of UFC 303 against Michael Chandler with a broken toe, despite fans and broadcasters having sealed up promotional efforts just days earlier. McGregor has never hesitated to press 'pause" on a fight when circumstances shift—even when the stakes are sky-high. His forced UFC 303 withdrawal was the first time injury kept him out of a bout, but it capped a long tradition of well-timed bow-outs. The Irishman delayed UFC 200's Nate Diaz showdown by missing a press conference, and Dana White publicly questioned the sincerity of his multiple retirements. These ghosting acts have repeatedly punctured fan expectations and forced opponents—and the UFC's promotional machine—to pivot at the last moment. The Poirier Prelude: Flat-Footed Conor If McGregor does reemerge, he'll carry the baggage of his most recent UFC run, which ended with back-to-back stoppage losses to Dustin Poirier. At UFC 257 in January 2021, Poirier's relentless calf kicks dismantled McGregor's movement, turning the trademark southpaw into a stationary target until a second-round knockout made history as McGregor's first UFC KO loss. McGregor himself later admitted he 'deserved" that defeat, acknowledging a narrow, boxing-only gameplan that left him vulnerable to leg attacks. Their trilogy bout at UFC 264 was even uglier. McGregor suffered a gruesome leg break behind Poirier's finish, capping an evening in which 'The Diamond" systematically dismantled McGregor's stance and power base. Where McGregor once dazzled with explosive entries and lightning pivots, he looked laborious—his feet glued to the canvas, his famous left hand connecting occasionally, failing to rock Dustin. Father Time Comes For Us All A lengthy layoff is poison to any fighter's reflexes, but McGregor's style—built on bursts of speed and precision timing—is especially vulnerable. After nearly four years away from the Octagon and a fractured tibia to boot, expect his signature lateral movement to be notably diminished. Even if his power remains intact, the crispness of his counters and the snap on his straight left will likely have degraded. Opponents will game-plan around neutralising his lead leg and forcing McGregor to fight from the center, where he's most exposed. McGregor's trajectory has always hinged on his ability to evolve. In 2020, he shocked the world by stopping Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds, displaying a refined wrestling defense and polished boxing combinations. But that performance is now almost half a decade old. To combat fighters who have studied his every nuance—and honed weapons like calf kicks into art forms—McGregor would need fresh counters. His historical approach to calf kicks, like leaning heavily on the front leg in hopes of a catch, proved suboptimal against Poirier's low strikes. Without new defensive wrinkles, his comeback could be a replay of those painful leg-beat strategies. The Forecast MMA enthusiasts should approach McGregor's shadow-boxing tease with a healthy dose of skepticism. The video is indisputably eye-catching, but McGregor's career is strewn with false starts and commercial gambits. Even if he fights again, the odds he'll resemble the mercurial, unpredictable force of 2015 or 2016 are long. A slowed McGregor, dragging a leg rehab, facing an opponent primed to exploit his rust, is a far cry from the highlight-reel knockout artist fans crave. Analysing the video in itself, McGregor flowing through the combinations looks tad sluggish. Even if it is due to his natural weight slowing him down, there's also the matter of his age. Now 37, the title run McGregor that demolished Eddie Alvarez and Jose Also is a faded memory. His life outside of the ring has also drawn significant scrutiny—his criminal conviction, the public antics, the presidential nomination—all bring to question McGregor's commitment to the fight game. A training camp requires immense discipline, and taking into consideration his recent profile—it is hard to tell if he's prepared to go out with a memorable performance, or fizzle out like the recently retired Jon Jones. Whether 'The Notorious" will finally settle the suspense remains to be seen. For now, his X shadow-boxing is another in a long series of perfectly choreographed mirages—beautifully composed, terrifyingly ambiguous, and possibly as fleeting as the shadow that once danced behind the gloves. News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Conor McGregor MMA MMA star Conor McGregor ufc Ultimate Fighting Championship view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 31, 2025, 13:20 IST News sports The McGregor Mirage: Will Conor (Ever) Return? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
USA Today
17-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Manager explains how Dustin Poirier 'bet on himself' in Conor McGregor rivalry
Dustin Poirier has had many magical moments in his MMA career, but it's hard to overlook his rivalry with Conor McGregor as a definitive portion. Ahead of UFC 318 on Saturday at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+), where Poirier will compete for the final time in his career against Max Holloway in a lightweight trilogy bout for the BMF title, it has been a time of reflection around the career of "The Diamond." There have been many trials and tribulations since his MMA debut in May 2009. When felt his ceiling was hit when he faltered against McGregor in their first meeting at UFC 178 in September 2014 when, after a heated build up, he lost by first-round TKO as "The Notorious" made his assent to superstar status. Years later and in a different division, Poirier got another opportunity. The pair had a rematch at UFC 257 in January 2021, and according to Poirier's longtime manager Rob Roveta, that was an incredibly important and defining moment. "I would say that's the most special fight of his career, and my favorite in terms of the mental mountain he had to climb," Roveta told MMA Junkie. "The hurdle you have to overcome to get one back like that against a guy that has been talking sh*t to you for years and talked sh*t to you back then and still doing it now. It kind of felt the same way with Khabib (Nurmagomedov at UFC 242), not quite as much, but he pulled up on a yacht. I don't think they applied the same COVID rules to him as they did us. It felt a little one-sided to us. But in that fight, I don't think he gave a sh*t. He was going to win." Poirier, 36, had an edge around him going into the UFC 257 rematch with McGregor that only comes out in rare instances. In addition to just wanting to get redemption on a significant loss, Poirier and his team were forced to make a roll of the dice after negotiations. Despite headlining a massive numbered card against the biggest star the sport has ever seen, Poirier was not compensated with pay-per-view points or many extra financial perks. All those were factored in to a trilogy clause, where if Poirier won, he would get a rubber match with McGregor right away and all the upside that came with it. It wasn't the ideal scenario, Roveta said, but one that added even more drive and motivation. "It certainly felt like the bet was against us and they looked at him as a stepping stone to far greater plans (for McGregor) – at least that's the way I looked at it," Roveta said. "The negotiations were tricky and he definitely bet on himself and obviously the back side of that worked out greater than we could've imagined, so it all worked out. But it was far different than you would imagine. "Everyone looking from the outside in, it's always, 'Oh, there's his shot. He's going to fight the biggest superstar and there will be a windfall of money and life is going to change forever.' Well, I can tell you the economics don't look like that. It's not like that for that particular fight. It's like, 'Hey, prove yourself and once you do, you can have the backside and everything you wanted.' But you have to do that, and it's not an easy mountain to climb." Poirier climbed that mountain in remarkable fashion. He knocked out McGregor in the second round at UFC 257, then won the trilogy six months later by first-round TKO at UFC 264 in July 2021 after McGregor broke his leg. It was just one of many high-profile fights and rivalries Poirier had throughout his career. The American achieved great things in his career, and although he went 0-3 in his chances for undisputed UFC titles, he can exit his career on an ultimate high at UFC 318. Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) is already 2-0 against Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC), but will look to extend that further while simultaneously taking the BMF belt from his Hawaiian foe. No matter what happens, though, Roveta said Poirier exceeded all expectations that were mapped up when their working relationship began just a few fights into his MMA career. "When the goal and the vision was set out was one thing, but the reality was bigger," Roveta said. "I think the only thing we did is we shot too low, in hindsight. It's easy to say now, but ultimately the goals we set out, we were thinking too small for a while. He's a much bigger superstar than I think we could've envisioned at the time." To hear Roveta discuss the highs and lows of Poirier's career in more detail, check out his complete appearance on "The Bohnfire" podcast with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn in the video above.
The Sun
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Why Conor McGregor's wife Dee Devlin gave up WAG-style career as pals reveal she'll never turn back on scandal-hit star
IT'S a Tuesday afternoon, your fiancé is all over Katie Price in a club. He'll go out later and knock someone out on the dance floor - all while you are at home with the kids. This might sound like most people's idea of a relationship from hell, but this is the reality for Dee Devlin, the woman who stands by Conor McGregor - who insiders insist won't ever leave matter how tough things get. 14 Mum-of-four Dee, 37, an aspiring businesswoman, has made the ultimate sacrifice - waving goodbye to a sparkling Coleen Rooney-style career - to be the wife and mother of Conor's dreams. Known for standing by her man through thick and thin, Dee has been dubbed the 'brains behind his brand'. An insider told The Sun: 'Dee is incredibly loyal and Conor knows that. "She is often there with him behind the scenes, but just not in the limelight. He has also made it very clear he is bankrolling her now, which plays a huge part in the dynamic of their relationship - and makes it almost impossible for her to leave.' They added: "She quietly accepts his behaviour and because she's been there from the beginning, she's always willing to move on. "She'll stick with him, even if he pushes her loyalty in return." In the early days, she was tipped to be the next Coleen - able to command generous sponsorship and high-profile endorsements as the most high-profile WAG of the global mixed martial arts fighting world. But a string of scandals involving Conor, who uses the stage name The Notorious - has scuppered her wholesome and highly lucrative girl-next-door image. A source explained: 'Dee was set to become a huge personality in her own right – with earning clout to rival the likes of famous WAGs Victoria Beckham or Coleen Rooney. 'Dee is popular with the public – you only have to look at her social media following to see that. Shocking moment UFC thug Conor McGregor pummels club reveller with TWO brutal punches in packed Ibiza nightclub 'She has a wholesome girl-next-door image enhanced as a mum of four and there's huge interest in the fashion brands she is wearing and her lifestyle - but her chances of a clean- cut image that attracts the big money brands have been sullied completely by Conor's antics. 'Everyone loves a rag to riches story and Dee and Conor's had huge appeal - until it got sinister. Big brands want to distance themselves from any kind of scandal – especially those involving violence and sexual assault.' While Conor has been hitting headlines for all the wrong reasons, Dee has been behind the scenes helping turn him into a global star. Helping coordinate his finances, sponsorship deals, and travel arrangements, Dee has been instrumental in helping Conor navigate money spinning ventures outside the ring. His fights broke pay-for-view records outside MMA when 5.3m fans paid to watch him fight 10 rounds with Floyd Mayweather in 2017. He also launched a brand of whiskey – Proper No.12 - rumoured to have sold for hundreds of millions, which again Dee played a part in. 14 Big dreams shattered Dee quit school when she was 16, but she was always ambitious. She attempted a number of business ventures including a line of luxury handbags and watches - but Conor was keen to get her on the books and she became his 'manager' as soon as his fighting career started taking off. Just like Wayne and Coleen - Dee and Conor were young sweethearts. A former model and waitress, Dee grew up in a town nearby to Conor and the pair had mutual pals before a chance meeting in a Dublin nightclub where she was working in 2008. She was just 21. At the time, Conor had just quit his plumbing apprenticeship and was at the cusp of his MMA fighting dream. 14 14 Neither had any idea what was in store for them - neither the glory nor the court appearances. These days, there is no doubt Dee lives a life to envy. Her wardrobe features Prada, Dior, and Luis Vuitton dresses, while on a visit to a Chanel boutique, £11,000 was spent on two designer handbags. The McGregor family live in a £2.5million home in Kildare, a 40-minute drive from Dublin. They take holidays in Marbella, where they have a £1.3million villa in the exclusive gated The Heights set on the La Resina country club estate. Marriage plans in doubt They got engaged five years ago when Conor popped the question on her 33rd birthday. Questions have been raised as to whether the pair will in fact ever marry. The fighter has spoken about vague marriage plans - insisting it'll happen in Ireland but admitting there is a lot to 'figure out,' and that it is 'a big process,' he added: 'Let's see what happens.' 14 14 They have however, got their very own family, wedding or not. They share four children - Conor, eight, a daughter, Croia, six, and sons Rian, four, and Mack, 19 months. In recent weeks, Dee has been in Spain with Conor, but she has been nowhere to be seen over the last couple of days – with sources saying she was clearly looking after the kids while he was out lapping up the lavish offerings Ibiza has to offer. 'Brands have distanced themselves' Topless in a red hat and puffing on a giant cigar, Conor captioned an Instagram shot of him cosying up to Katie Price as '@katieprice Forever' Footage later emerged from the night before showing him flooring a club reveller with TWO brutal punches in a packed Ibiza nightclub, Pacha. Days later, the UFC star appeared to sport a bruised eye as he soaked up the sun with Dee aboard a luxury yacht. Dee could be seen packing on the PDA with Conor after his midweek fracas. She later appeared alongside him in a series of social media snaps, showing nothing could break them. It's the latest in a string of controversies that have marred Conor - pounding his public image, career and reputation – and Dee's too. Last November, Conor was ordered to pay out £206,000 in damages to hairdresser Nikita Hand - after a jury found in a civil case that he had brutally sexually assaulted her - brands began to distance themselves. Following the case, Dee broke her silence, showing her devotion to her man, in a post she said: 'Conor and I dealt with these issues privately many years ago, as should be done in a relationship, and we have come out stronger than ever. 'We have four beautiful children now whose smiling faces and happy hearts are a testament to who he is and who we are!' 14 14 14 'He turned violent quickly' Another woman, Samantha Murphy, claimed she had to jump off the side of a luxury yacht to escape after an alleged attack by Conor in 2022, breaking her arm in the fall. She alleges she was assaulted during celebrations in Ibiza for the fighter's 34th birthday, claiming he turned violent quickly becoming 'possessed.' She launched a civil case but discontinued it in January 2023. At the time, a statement from McGregor said he was "steadfast in his denial of all the accusations made by a guest on his boat". He is also preparing to go back to court to appeal against the conviction in the Nikita Hand case which has already cost him more than 1.5m Euros. But Dee has always stood by him, and Conor has always credited her as a key to his success, supporting him even as an unemployed aspiring fighter. He said: 'I love to spoil her. She does not work anymore, I hired her to the business. She works for me now and collects the cheques. 'Dee worked very hard throughout the years and stuck by me when I had absolutely nothing. I only had a dream that I was telling her. 'For me to be able to take her out of work, give her everything she's ever wanted and to travel the world with her fills me with pride. It keeps me going. We've been together a long time. She's been through it all with me.' He added: 'Every day, since I started out in this game, she's supported me. She'd drive me to the gym, and she'd listen to all my dreams. 'Dee is a lifesaver for me. I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for her. I'm doing all of this for her.' Just a few months ago Dee took to Instagram to defend her relationship yet again saying: 'My man and I have created a beautiful life together. No one is entitled to comment on our relationship- we trust one another and love one another.' Inside McGregor's Notorious lifestyle With more sides to his personality than an Octagon, Conor McGregor's rise has been an enthralling watch. Going from UFC icon to entrepreneur and Hollywood star, the Irishman has transcended the sport he helped bring to the masses. He has four children with fiancee Dee Devlin and the family enjoy a lavish lifestyle. McGregor has not fought in UFC since breaking his leg in a trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in 2021. That has not stopped him amassing a net worth of over £150m thanks to his Proper No Twelve whiskey and fashion line. And he is due to return to the Octagon at UFC 303 in an eagerly-awaited headline clash with Michael Chandler. McGregor also starred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the Amazon Prime remake of classic movie Road House, although he is dreading his mum seeing one X-rated scene. Notorious turned up to the premiere in a £60,000 suit that was outdone by his £460k watch. The only thing sharper than his fashion sense is his tongue and the Dubliner has several bitter spats under his belt, including with UFC legend KhabibNurmagomedov. That row led to one of his biggest controversies in 2018 as he travelled 3,000 miles to confront Khabib in a vicious attack on his bus. He pleaded guilty to assault after punching a man in a pub in 2018 and had his £150k Bentley seized by police for driving offences four years later. Joe Rogan lashed out at McGregor in a four-letter outburst and the Irishman has also fired shots at Jake Paul, KSI and Tommy Fury. Boxing great Floyd Mayweather also has McGregor on his enemy list after the pair clashed in a cross-sport bout in 2017.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Daniel Cormier hopes for better ending to Conor McGregor's UFC career
If Conor McGregor never fights again, Daniel Cormier thinks his lasting UFC memory is an unfortunate one. It's been almost four years since McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) last fought when he broke his leg in a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. McGregor has planned his return on numerous occasions and was even booked to fight Michael Chandler last June at UFC 303 before withdrawing due to a broken pinky toe. There has been no word on McGregor fighting since then, which has many speculating if he'll ever return. If "The Notorious" is indeed done, Cormier says his final moment in the octagon could overshadow the remarkable career that shot him to superstardom. "For me, it's kind of sad because of this: It's like, when a guy comes, and he's that successful, and he's that good, you hope that the last time you see him in the octagon is him fighting – even if it's him losing," Cormier said on his "Funky and the Champ" show with Ben Askren. "You don't want the last memory is him sitting in the octagon with a broken leg, yelling at Dustin Poirier's wife. It was the craziest vision I've ever seen. It felt like when he got here, everything was fresh, new, and it felt genuine. Then he went to nice Conor when him and Dustin fought in Abu Dhabi. Nice Conor was more preposterous than him doing what he did after the fight with Dustin the (third) time. "Because he was holding Dustin's liquor, they were hugging each other. It was the most odd thing I'd ever seen because that was not what we had come to expect from Conor McGregor. He gets beat by Dustin Poirier, then he goes all the way back to the other guy, but even more to the right. He was more loud, he was more obnoxious, he was nasty, talking about Dustin's wife and all these things. He was more nasty, so even that felt forced. Then when he broke his leg, he was sitting on the ground yelling and screaming. It was almost like he was a rich guy who didn't get his way, and there is nothing he could do about it, and he was acting out because of it. That's like a sad visual for me after all that he became to the sport of mixed martial arts." McGregor has kept busy outside of the octagon as part owner of BKFC and most recently diving into Irish politics. The former UFC two-division met with with President Donald Trump at the White House on St. Patrick's Day "to raise the issues the people of Ireland face." Charles Oliveira: UFC fans 'should forget about Conor McGregor coming back' Photos: Conor McGregor at the White House Dustin Poirier gives thoughts on Conor McGregor's return, says UFC star is 'addicted to the limelight' Michael Chandler changes tune on Conor McGregor's UFC comeback – to some degree This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Daniel Cormier hopes for better ending to Conor McGregor's UFC career
USA Today
25-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Beating Michael Chandler then Conor McGregor 'sounds very tasty' to Paddy Pimblett
Paddy Pimblett loves the idea of beating Michael Chandler's and stealing his fight with Conor McGregor. Chandler was scheduled to face McGregor at UFC 303 last June, but the fight was scrapped when McGregor withdrew due to a broken pinky toe. Tired of waiting for 'The Notorious,' Chandler rematched Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 last November but lost the bout by unanimous decision. Now Chandler (23-9 MMA, 2-4 UFC) will take on Pimblett (22-3 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in a five-round co-main event April 12 at UFC 314 from Kaseya Center in Miami (ESPN+ pay-per-view). If Pimblett can get past his toughest test to date in the former Bellator champion and UFC title challenger, he's all for facing McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) next. 'Sounds very tasty,' Pimblett told Round Eight Boxing. 'A lot of people have said this to me already: 'Beat Chandler, take the McGregor fight.' Obviously he's the biggest star in the sport. He's the biggest star we've ever seen, biggest pay-per-view star. I'll fight him in a main event, and we'll get pay-per-view points. 'It's a no-brainer, of course, to fight McGregor, but let's see if he ever fights again. Let's see if he comes back to the octagon. I respect McGregor, what he's done for the sport. Our sport wouldn't be as big as it is now if it wasn't for him. He took it to a new level, so getting the chance to fight him would be amazing.' McGregor is yet to return from breaking his leg in a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. Pimblett admits that despite his desire to face McGregor, it likely won't happen. 'You know what? I've said for years, 'Yeah, I think he will (fight again),' but the longer it goes, I'm starting to doubt it,' Pimblett said.
