Conor McGregor is ready to return to the UFC, but before stepping back into the Octagon, he is opening up about the difficult years that kept him away. In a recent interview with Nate Burleson on CBS Mornings, shared by MMA Fighting, McGregor admitted that fame, money and his own mistakes pushed him off track after reaching the top of the sport. He said he has spent years working on himself and is still trying to leave his old habits behind as he prepares to fight Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11.
Conor McGregor says fame and success changed his life after reaching the top
Speaking to CBS Mornings’ Nate Burleson, McGregor looked back at the biggest turning point of his career. After becoming the UFC’s first simultaneous two-division champion in 2016 and earning a huge payday from his boxing match against Floyd Mayweather, he said his life changed in ways he did not expect.“Fame has its pitfalls. You better move carefully in this world, for sure,” McGregor said. He admitted that he struggled to handle everything that came with his success. “At 27 years of age, I had the game conquered. I got lost. I got lost in it. Made some mistakes off of that.”McGregor said he has gone through treatment and spent a lot of time reflecting on his life. Even now, he says the work is not over. “I found myself reverting. I had to remind myself, hold on, I’m different now.”He added that staying on the right path is something he works on every day. “It’s day-by-day work. Life is about balance. It’s akin to walking a tight rope.”
Conor McGregor looks ahead to Max Holloway fight after years away from the UFC
McGregor has not fought in the UFC since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. During that time, he dealt with injuries and several legal issues that kept him in the headlines.One of the biggest cases came from Ireland, where a civil jury found him liable in a case brought by Nikita Hand over a 2018 incident. McGregor denied wrongdoing, appealed the decision and later lost the appeal. He has also faced other allegations over the years, with some cases ending without criminal charges.Despite that, McGregor said returning to fighting feels like coming home. He believes the sport gives him purpose and says he is excited to compete again.His comeback fight against Max Holloway at UFC 329 will be their first meeting since 2013, when McGregor defeated Holloway at featherweight. While some fans see his recent comments as a genuine effort to take responsibility, others remain unconvinced because of his past controversies.
