Conor McGregor's comeback under scrutiny as Joe Rogan questions the 'motivation' behind his UFC return
Joe Rogan has questioned what pushed Conor McGregor to return to the UFC after more than five years away, suggesting the Irish star may have been trying to prove he could still compete with the best. McGregor returned against Max Holloway at UFC 329 in July, but the fight ended after 69 seconds when he suffered a torn right ACL and meniscus. The injury stopped what was meant to be his comeback fight. Rogan now believes McGregor’s reasons for returning may say something about where he is in his career and whether the hunger that once drove him is still there.
Joe Rogan questions Conor McGregor’s motivation after UFC 329Speaking on his podcast, Rogan said he felt McGregor wanted to show that he could still perform at the highest level. He stressed that he had not spoken to McGregor personally, so his comments were his own view of the situation.
“Like, it seemed like Conor was doing it to show that he could still do it.
“It seemed, and I don’t know, you know, I didn’t talk to him. I haven’t had a conversation with him as a person, but it seemed like he wanted to be on top again.
“He wanted to show that he could go out there and still beat a world-class fighter like Max Holloway and just show that he could do it.
Rogan then raised a bigger question about what McGregor is still chasing after becoming one of the richest and most famous fighters in MMA.
“And you got to wonder, is that the best motivation for a guy that’s worth half a billion dollars and is f—— living in the lap of luxury. Is he just chasing that ‘high’ or is he chasing that dream?”
The comments came after McGregor’s return ended almost as soon as it began. He hurt his right knee while attempting a kick against Holloway and was unable to continue. McGregor later confirmed that he had torn his ACL and damaged his meniscus. He has said he hopes to fight again in 2027.
Joe Rogan points to Conor McGregor’s rise before Floyd Mayweather fightRogan also looked back at the period when McGregor was building his name in the UFC. He believes the Irishman was driven by a clear goal during those years: becoming a world champion.
“So, like when he knocked out Jose Aldo, he was chasing the dream.”
“He was a juggernaut. He was storming through the division. He was knocking everybody out.
“He looked like this guy that had this phenomenal talent and this special charisma, and he looked like a guy who was chasing this, this thing, this dream, this dream of becoming a world champion.
Rogan then identified McGregor’s 2017 boxing match against Floyd Mayweather as a possible turning point.
“So, then you achieve it, and then I think the big derailment was the Floyd Mayweather fight, right?
“He leaves MMA, trains in boxing for a while, has a great performance against Floyd Mayweather, one of the greatest boxers of all time, does 10 rounds with him, which is f—— insane.”
Rogan’s comments do not confirm what McGregor himself feels about his career. They instead offer his view of why the former two-division UFC champion chose to return and whether the same drive that powered his rise is still there. McGregor has one UFC fight left on his contract.
Joe Rogan questions Conor McGregor’s motivation after UFC 329Speaking on his podcast, Rogan said he felt McGregor wanted to show that he could still perform at the highest level. He stressed that he had not spoken to McGregor personally, so his comments were his own view of the situation.
“Like, it seemed like Conor was doing it to show that he could still do it.
“It seemed, and I don’t know, you know, I didn’t talk to him. I haven’t had a conversation with him as a person, but it seemed like he wanted to be on top again.
“He wanted to show that he could go out there and still beat a world-class fighter like Max Holloway and just show that he could do it.
Rogan then raised a bigger question about what McGregor is still chasing after becoming one of the richest and most famous fighters in MMA.
“And you got to wonder, is that the best motivation for a guy that’s worth half a billion dollars and is f—— living in the lap of luxury. Is he just chasing that ‘high’ or is he chasing that dream?”
The comments came after McGregor’s return ended almost as soon as it began. He hurt his right knee while attempting a kick against Holloway and was unable to continue. McGregor later confirmed that he had torn his ACL and damaged his meniscus. He has said he hopes to fight again in 2027.
Joe Rogan points to Conor McGregor’s rise before Floyd Mayweather fightRogan also looked back at the period when McGregor was building his name in the UFC. He believes the Irishman was driven by a clear goal during those years: becoming a world champion.
“So, like when he knocked out Jose Aldo, he was chasing the dream.”
“He was a juggernaut. He was storming through the division. He was knocking everybody out.
“He looked like this guy that had this phenomenal talent and this special charisma, and he looked like a guy who was chasing this, this thing, this dream, this dream of becoming a world champion.
Rogan then identified McGregor’s 2017 boxing match against Floyd Mayweather as a possible turning point.
“So, then you achieve it, and then I think the big derailment was the Floyd Mayweather fight, right?
“He leaves MMA, trains in boxing for a while, has a great performance against Floyd Mayweather, one of the greatest boxers of all time, does 10 rounds with him, which is f—— insane.”
Rogan’s comments do not confirm what McGregor himself feels about his career. They instead offer his view of why the former two-division UFC champion chose to return and whether the same drive that powered his rise is still there. McGregor has one UFC fight left on his contract.
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