Why McGregor will keep fighting win or lose

When Conor McGregor lost to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257, he referred to himself as a ‘part-time fighter,’ claiming that inactivity affected him during the PPV’s stellar event in January.

McGregor has just three MMA fights since November 2016 when he became the first two-time champion in UFC history, compared to Poirier’s 9 during that same time span. So, perhaps there is some truth to what the Irish superstar is saying.

Of course, during that span, McGregor had another fight, but as we know, he was removed from the UFC octagon. August 2021 is the 4th anniversary of “The Greatest Fight in Combat Sports History” between McGregor and Floyd Mayweather, an event that, despite the loss suffered in the ring, elevated McGregor to the pinnacle of combat sports.

Heading into his trilogy fight against Poirier at UFC 264, it’s that same door he opened against Mayweather that all but guarantees McGregor will continue to be the ultimate attraction in all things sports take and give and take.

Do we want an MMA fight? McGregor can sell it.

Do we want a boxing match in the ring that purports to be a dream matchup? McGregor can sell it.

Do we want a novelty showdown that will blow up social media? McGregor can sell it.

Buy UFC 264: Poirier vs. McGregor 3 here.

In an age where hybrid boxing-MMA bouts and special exhibitions are coming more alive with every moment, we can’t forget that it was McGregor who made them trendy, breaking away from the standard procedure that was the norm, especially in boxing, for years.

So, if very well that detour into the boxing ring made him a pioneer when we consider the current state of combat sports, the question ends up being whether that inactivity in general and the day-to-day change that the millions and millions of dollars earned provide marked the end of McGregor as an elite fighter in UFC.

As colleague Brett Okamoto wrote, McGregor’s legacy as an athlete is on the line in the trilogy fight against Poirier. Of that there is no doubt; a loss would take McGregor out of the championship picture, making him a 100% attraction. And let’s be clear, there’s nothing wrong with that, just ask Nate Diaz. Ultimately, the one who would suffer most from a second loss to Poirier would be McGregor’s ego, the one still trying to convince the world (and perhaps himself) that he’s still the best fighter in the world.

That factor, combined with his position as the highest paid athlete of 2020 (and he only had one fight) and the ‘MVP’ of sports in general, would perhaps make him think about walking away from the sport altogether if he lost to Poirier again. Maybe.

However, that door he opened against Mayweather is more than open to satisfy his ego and remain the face of the sport.

There would be so many options, through different fight scenarios, that it would seem ridiculous to think that McGregor, at just 32 years of age, would choose to say goodbye. We’ve played that little game a few times now, and it always ends with McGregor back in action.

But if McGregor’s pride ends up crushed enough against Poirier to say no to the cage, perhaps the boxing ring will become his new ‘full-time’ home.

And why not? The hybrid combat sport business has become a veritable money pit and headline grabber. We already saw what Anderson Silva accomplished against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and in September Vitor Belfort would share the ring with Oscar de la Hoya, who returns for an exhibition after 18 years away from the ring. And as mentioned above, the current fad was set by McGregor.

It’s not hard to imagine McGregor stepping into the boxing ring for any number of pairings, which would likely range from active boxers (perhaps some star looking for a big purse) to retired legends betting on eroded skills to put on a show with the Irishman. Current names like Manny Pacquiao and pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford have been linked to McGregor, in addition to De la Hoya himself and even Mayweather.

And speaking of Mayweather, who continues to make millions and millions off his name in exhibitions, wouldn’t it be poetic justice for McGregor if he manages to surpass the earnings made by ‘Money’ in his special bout against YouTuber Logan Paul? How to do it? Easy, by taking on the most talked about Paul brother in the world of combat sports.