Mike Tyson with Conor McGregor (Image: undefined)
has been warned his injury record could see him end up like .
Since snapping his leg at UFC 264 against Dustin Poirier back in 2021, ‘The Notorious’ hasn’t returned to the ring and the Irishman hasn’t won a fight since knocked out Donald Cerrone in 2020. UFC boss Dana White, speaking on the Pardon My Take podcast, hinted that McGregor might make a comeback in fall this year with: “Eventually. Hopefully Conor McGregor returns in the fall of this year.”
However, Atlas expressed doubts about McGregor’s potential return, : “There’s a window on physical talent. He is older now he’s been through injuries. That physical talent he has, has been inactive, that physical talent is obviously not what it once was. He was a great counter puncher. He could punch. He was a southpaw. He was tremendous in that window of time.”
Boxing trainer Atlas, 68, drew comparisons between the iconic Tyson and McGregor noting the hardships both faced toward the ends of their careers. Just like Tyson, who battled through injuries in his later fights – such as the painful knee injury he endured during his bout against Danny Williams in 2004 which led to a knockout loss in the fourth round – the Irishman seems to mirror this trajectory.
Despite the setback, Tyson returned to the ring a year later to fight Kevin McBride, where he suffered another defeat before ultimately retiring from boxing. “He was a dangerous puncher where he could where he would catch you with snappy, clean, powerful quick shots, quick hands,” Atlas commented on Tyson’s prowess, adding that he had a keen sense for setting up traps and was an excellent counter puncher.
“He was tremendous, and he was tough, like they all were, because he went through his times where he fought with injuries, but like Mike Tyson, I don’t know that he’s that guy anymore. Forget about all what we want him to be. I don’t know that he’s the same guy anymore.”
Despite UFC president Dana White’s assertions that Conor McGregor is set for a comeback to the Octagon this year, McGregor himself seems to have different priorities. Recently, the 36 year old former dual-weight champion dropped a bombshell on X, previously known as Twitter, announcing potential plans outside of the UFC.
He stated, “The rumours of a bout with Topuria are false. I am in preliminary agreements with the Ambani family to face Logan Paul in a boxing exhibition in India. I have agreed. I will then seek my return to the Octagon.” This surprise revelation indicates a possible $250 million payday for each fighter in the proposed exhibition match with Logan Paul. Moreover, Paul appears to be all in for this opportunity, as seen in recent footage where he implores UFC and WWE boss Ari Emanuel to allow the fight with ‘The Notorious’ to proceed.