Islam Makhachev voiced doubts about Conor McGregor competing again, despite the Irish star hinting at a return to the Octagon. McGregor has been sidelined since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021 and later withdrew from a scheduled fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 due to a broken toe. The 37-year-old reportedly hopes to appear at the UFC’s White House event next summer, but Makhachev, a teammate of Khabib Nurmagomedov, believes otherwise.
“Khabib broke his mind. This guy never come back. He’s not gonna fight anymore. I [said] this like two years ago. I still thinking he’s not gonna fight. Now, he have like disqualification from the anti-doping commission. I think no. Maybe Jon Jones will come back to fight in White House, but not Conor. Yeah, it’s good time between my fights, now and to White House,” Makhachev said.
Makhachev is set to headline UFC 322 this Saturday against welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena. The fight takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York City, marking Makhachev’s first appearance at the iconic venue.
The venue holds special significance, as it was where Conor McGregor made history by winning titles in two different weight classes at the same time with a TKO victory over Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205. Makhachev now hopes to create his own moment at MSG.
