What happened to Conor McGregor?
There was a time in the not-too-distant past when “Notorious” — a former two-division champion — was considered the best MMA fighter on the planet, one who had a knack for dismantling opponents long before they stepped foot inside the cage.
Just ask this guy.
But over the last few years, McGregor has been unable to perform at his peak, both inside and outside the cage, which has former UFC featherweight and well-respected ATT coach Mike Brown wondering where it all went wrong.
“I’m not sure what it is but he did seem much sharper with his tongue in the past,” Brown told MMA Fighting. “Maybe he’s in a tough spot, I don’t know what it is but it also appears he has no lines anymore. Where he used to have some lines, some are ethnical but more lines. But those seem to have gone away. He doesn’t seem to be quite the same fighter both in the ring and with his promotion wise, too. Not sure what it is but something seems different.”
Like this lame entry into his trash talk collection.
Brown helped coach Dustin Poirier to consecutive victories over McGregor, first at UFC 257 and then again at UFC 264. “The Diamond” stopped “Notorious” by way of strikes to avenge a 2014 loss to the former whiskey mogul, then claimed TKO victory in their recent rubber match when McGregor broke his leg in the opening frame.
The best “Mystic Mac” could do was predict murder.
Poirier is expected to face Charles Oliveira for the lightweight strap later this year. As for McGregor, who will spend the next several weeks on crutches, he likely won’t be seen until mid-to-late 2022 — if he gets seen at all.
If and when he does come back, will anyone (outside his dopey fanboys) still take him seriously?