Conor McGregor is expected to make a return to the UFC in January 2022
Conor McGregor sustained a nasty broken left ankle during his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
The Irishman had his ankle snapped at the end of the first round against Poirier. The fight was stopped and after a brief check, was awarded to Poirier (due to TKO by means of a doctor stoppage).
McGregor was sent to the hospital immediately and was operated upon the next day. He has been healing since then.
‘The Notorious’ was also slapped with a 6-month suspension by the UFC.
Elsewhere, legendary boxing trainer Teddy Atlas shared his verdict on McGregor returning to the UFC.
Atlas divulged that it would be hard for McGregor to sustain the physical supremacy he had in his prime.
He said:
“Physically, it’s going to be very hard to come back from that kind of injury at this point in his life…Physically, as a fighter, I don’t think he can sustain the level of effort, and accomplishment and success that he sustained – three years ago, four years ago, five years ago.”
Teddy Atlas also revealed why McGregor will struggle in the new age of UFC – much different than how it was even 4 years ago.
He claimed that the new age fighters are well-rounded and have tools that would even keep them up with McGregor’s left hand:
“Now, it’s a different breed. It’s a different fighter that he is now. He is not facing guys who could just walk in and get caught with that left hand. And, the guys are better than him in the grappling, jiu-jitsu, on the floor. They are really good in that area, and are good in the striking area too.”
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