UFC legend Chael Sonnen believes he knows the reason as to why Conor McGregor likely won’t return to the UFC Octagon.
It has been almost four years now since Conor McGregor last stepped into the UFC Octagon when he broke his leg at the end of round one during his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier.
During that time, the Irishman has been teased to return several times and was scheduled to make his official comeback last July against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 but withdrew due to a broken toe.
Now, ‘The Notorious’ puts most of his time into promoting BKFC events, having become the co-owner of the promotion last year, even teasing a potential fight in BKFC in the future.
Despite the UFC fanbase having held onto hopes that the former double champion would make his return to the cage, he recently dropped a huge hint regarding his UFC retirement.
The 36-year-old stated that he is happy with everything he has done in the sport and instead will be turning his focus onto becoming the President of Ireland.
However, UFC legend Chael Sonnen isn’t convinced that that’s the main reason for McGregor’s recent retirement hint.
“What part of it would he come back for? We’re told by him that he doesn’t need the money, we can see that his time is occupied, I mean a lot of fighters have to cling to the sport because they have nothing else to do,” Sonnen began to explain during an episode of Good Guy Bad Guy.
“He’s got a beating standing in front of him, we can go 155lbs, we can go 170lbs, we can make up a weight class, there’s not an athlete under contract with the UFC that he can beat.
“I don’t even mean that to be a jerk, when they bring him back, they put him in a main event, all of a sudden you’re asking him to do five rounds. We’ve got a guy who can’t breathe for a full round.
“This is just a reality, there’s nothing to come back for… There’s no reason to come back, there’s an a– whipping waiting for you,” Sonnen continued.
Michael Chandler still bizarrely holding out hope for McGregor fight
Before McGregor’s shock retirement admission, Chandler stated that he planned to call him out if he beats Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314.
Even now, following ‘The Notorious’ comments, Chandler is remaining hopeful that he will one day get to finish the story with McGregor.
The MMA veteran claimed that McGregor’s road to the UFC still goes through him and that if he does decide to return, he knows he has to face Chandler.
