2024 would, in theory, be the year of Conor McGregor’s triumphant return to the UFC after a long hiatus from the sport.
2024 would, in theory, be the year of Conor McGregor’s triumphant return to the UFC after a long hiatus from the sport. The dream of the Irishman’s fans, however, ended up turning into a sort of ‘nightmare’ that could even compromise the fighter’s career,
Without fighting due to an injury, the ‘Notorious’ also had to face justice and a sentence related to a case of sexual violence, for which he was held responsible and which generated a wave of attitudes that could make him lose a lot of money . And they leave several doubts about what 2025 will be like for the great MMA star.
The fight that should be…
The year had just begun and McGregor took to social media to announce that he would be returning to fight in the UFC in June, during International Fight Week (in Las Vegas). The opponent would be Michael Chandler, with whom he had rivaled in ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ and who was the opponent indicated by the organization for that match.
Looking back at the announcement of bouts that would never happen, many suspected it was yet another attempt by the Irishman to remain relevant through the emergence of other stars in Ultimate, but the organization confirmed the fight, which would have been the main fight of UFC 303. Despite this, many were doubtful whether the duel between the “Notorious” and the American would happen.
…but it wasn’t
This distrust began to increase when a press conference that would have seen the two fighters in their first official promotional fight on the card, scheduled for Dublin (Ireland), was canceled practically at the last minute. The Irishman’s justification for the cancellation was the existence of “obstacles beyond his control”.
The cancellation gave rise to a series of rumors that would be confirmed a few days later, when the UFC announced the cancellation of the fight due to a toe injury to the ‘Notorious’. Chandler would also not continue playing (he would fight in November, losing to Charles do Bronx), with Alex Poatan and Jiri Prochazka taking the main event slot.
And McGregor didn’t fight
It didn’t take long before the Irishman recovered from his injury and began pleading on social media to fight as soon as possible in the UFC in 2024. However, the year passed and the fighting star saw no such requests come true. .
One attempt was to ask to fight at UFC 310, held in December, which did not have an official main event for much of the season. But the organization preferred to leave its star aside and not select him for the membership. Which even leaves the doubt as to whether Conor McGregor will actually return to fighting or dedicate himself to other areas.
Defeat in court
If life in the fight hasn’t been the best for the ‘Notorious’, outside of it it’s gotten even worse recently, when the fighter suffered a defeat in an Irish court over a sexual assault allegation against Nikita Hand , which presumably occurred in 2018. .
In a civil lawsuit filed by Hand, the former Ultimate champion was found liable by the jury regarding the accusation and was ordered to pay compensation in connection with the case. Although this conviction did not land him in prison (as the case was not being tried in the criminal sphere) for the act, the Irishman’s responsibility for the assault was considered by the court to be equivalent to that.
Lose money
The conviction resulted in a number of negative consequences for McGregor. For example, the game character “Hitman”, based on the fighter, was removed from the game shortly after the conviction was made official. And not only that.
Proper Twelve, the whiskey brand created by the ‘Notorious’ and which made him a millionaire, has removed him from the company’s promotional functions, no longer using his name and image, after some of Ireland’s major stores withdrew the product due to the repercussions of the case. The UFC, however, has not made any decisions in this direction and keeps its star on the roster of fighters.
Cinema and boxing without gloves
Conor McGregor’s 2024 has not only been full of problems and unpleasantness for the fighter. There were also some positive moments, one of which was the theatrical debut. The Irishman participated in the remake of ‘Matador de Aluguel’ (Road House), together with Jake Gyllenhaal, a film that was successful in streaming when it was released.
Furthermore, the ‘Notorious’ has become a shareholder of BKFC, the leading bare-knuckle boxing organisation. Using his already well-known promotional streak, the fighter has attracted many fans to the sport and is a strong presence at the entity’s events.
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
