McGregor Will Fight Again, Coach Insists
Conor McGregor has no intention of walking away from mixed martial arts, according to his longtime coach John Kavanagh, who revealed that the former two-division UFC champion remains determined to compete again despite the ACL injury that derailed his comeback earlier this year.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Kavanagh said McGregor has told him he wants to fight, and that he has learned not to doubt the Irishman. "He says he does [fight again]," Kavanagh said. "I think I'm just too long around him, now 22 years around each other, and I've just seen him do too many things that seem to be impossible and he does them, repeatedly. So, if he says he does, I'm not going to doubt him."
The injury occurred in McGregor's long-awaited return at UFC 329 against Max Holloway, where he suffered the ACL tear just 69 seconds into the fight. Kavanagh confirmed the damage happened on McGregor's first technique of the bout, a move he had practiced throughout training camp, and dismissed conspiracy theories that McGregor entered the cage injured. "For the conspiracy theorists out there, he walked in with no injury. Zero injury," Kavanagh said.
McGregor underwent surgery and has since immersed himself in rehabilitation. While Kavanagh reports that the 38-year-old is "moving around quite well" and has resumed sparring, he believes McGregor will not be ready for MMA-specific training until next year, making 2027 the most realistic target for a return to competition.
Recovery Timeline Points to 2027
"We'll see. I guess it'll be next year until he can start returning to MMA type training," Kavanagh said. "He's going through his rehab now and he's back. He looks pretty good to me. He looks to be moving around quite well. I just don't know if he's done with competition just yet. What does that look like? I don't know."
Kavanagh's assessment suggests that while McGregor's desire remains intact, his body still has significant ground to cover before he can entertain a return to the octagon. The coach's cautious timeline aligns with the severity of an ACL injury at McGregor's age, particularly for an athlete whose movement and explosiveness have been central to his success.
A Comeback Derailed and a Legacy in Limbo
The update comes three months after McGregor's highly anticipated return ended in devastating fashion. After a five-year absence, McGregor stepped back into the cage in July at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to face Holloway, a rematch of their 2013 bout when both were relatively unknown. The fight lasted less than a round and a half of action, with McGregor's knee giving way early and the bout ending in a 69-second loss.
The setback was the latest in a series of blows for McGregor, whose career has been marked by long layoffs and injuries since his 2020 victory over Donald Cerrone. He suffered a brutal leg break in his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021, then spent years on the sidelines before the Holloway fight materialized. His last win remains the 40-second stoppage of Cerrone in January 2020, meaning a victory in 2027 would end a seven-year drought.
The Holloway series now stands even at one fight apiece, and Holloway has publicly expressed interest in a trilogy if the UFC is willing. That possibility adds another layer of intrigue to McGregor's eventual return, though the promotion has not commented on booking plans.
Kavanagh's comments also shed light on McGregor's mindset. The coach said the final chapter of McGregor's career is not yet complete, and that the fighter's desire will ultimately determine whether another comeback materializes. "Can he make another comeback and get back into that fight shape? If anybody can, he can," Kavanagh said. "I just think it'll come down to where the fire is, how much he wants it. I don't think, I know if he wants it, he'll do whatever it takes, and he'll do it again."
What This Means for McGregor and the UFC
The uncertainty surrounding McGregor's future has broader implications for the UFC, which has long relied on his star power to drive pay-per-view sales. Even at 38 and with a 1-3 record in his last four fights, McGregor remains one of the sport's biggest draws. A 2027 return would give the promotion time to build a card around him, though the risk of another injury or a diminished performance looms large.
For McGregor, the stakes are personal as well as professional. A loss in his return would extend a losing skid and further tarnish a legacy built on his 2016 victory over Eddie Alvarez, when he became the first fighter to hold two UFC belts simultaneously. A win, however unlikely given the layoff and injury history, would offer a storybook ending to a career defined by unlikely comebacks.
Kavanagh's loyalty offers a rare glimpse into McGregor's inner circle, where belief in the fighter's ability has not wavered despite repeated setbacks. Whether that belief translates into another walk to the octagon will depend on how McGregor's body responds over the coming months. For now, the coach's message is clear: McGregor is not done, but the wait will continue.
As the MMA world turns its attention to other storylines, including ongoing title pictures and the sport's evolving landscape, McGregor's shadow remains. His return, whenever it comes, will command attention. The question is whether it will resemble a triumphant comeback or another painful chapter in a career that has oscillated between brilliance and adversity. For now, Kavanagh's update offers the clearest signal yet that McGregor intends to write one more chapter, even if the timeline remains frustratingly vague.
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