Daniel Cormier thinks Conor McGregor’s planned comeback is different from what we have seen in the past.
McGregor has not fought since UFC 264 back in July 2021.
Although he has often hinted at a return over the years, UFC boss Dana White has now suggested that ‘The Notorious’ is genuinely focused on fighting at the White House event in 2026.
He has also been sharing training videos and has already made a prediction about how his first fight back will go.
Regarding that, Cormier thinks there is a clear reason why this return feels more legitimate than previous talk.
Daniel Cormier thinks Conor McGregor is starting to feel his star power fade due to his inactivity
‘DC’ gave his take on why McGregor’s return might finally be happening during a recent episode of ESPN MMA’s Good Guy / Bad Guy podcast.
“He’s told us time and time again that he’ll be there and he hasn’t shown up. I believe that this time, there’s a stronger possibility because of all the time that’s passed and I believe the White House is going be that big of a deal to him.”
But Cormier does not think it is just about the event itself. He sees another reason behind why McGregor seems more committed this time around.
“But, I think the biggest factor in why Conor McGregor may fight is because no one believes him anymore and some of that shine is starting to wear off. It doesn’t matter how much money you’ve got, Chael, when you’re a guy that develops the level of stardom that he reached when you’re a guy that loves the attention and the adulation and it starts to fade, then you come back and you do what you did before.
“I think he’s coming back, but it’s not because he wants to compete. I think he understands now that people just aren’t in on the Conor McGregor business anymore.”
Cormier thinks opponent choice will not impact McGregor’s return
Cormier also weighed in on whether the identity of McGregor’s next opponent would play any part in his motivation to return.
‘The Notorious’ has already said that Michael Chandler will be his opponent when he steps back into the cage at the White House event.
Even so, ‘DC’ does not think it matters much who is standing across from him. In his view, the opponent is not what is driving this comeback.
Cormier believes McGregor just needs to step into the Octagon again if he wants to regain some of the attention he once commanded, regardless of whether it is a high-profile fight or not.
