MMA
Conor McGregor admits he needed to 'dig deep' ahead of comeback fight: "It takes a lot of deep internal work to return"
Published
1 month agoon
Conor McGregor will be returning to the Octagon on Saturday for the first in five years, and he says it took some soul-searching to get to this point.
McGregor is set to collide with Max Holloway in the final bout on the UFC 329 card in Las Vegas. The “Notorious†one hasn't seen active pro MMA competition since suffering a broken leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021. Fans expected to see McGregor back in 2024, but an injury setback led to disappointment.
The road back to fighting hasn't been an easy one for McGregor. Episode three of “UFC 329 Embedded†highlighted the Irishman's recent interview with ESPN's Brett Okamoto. McGregor admitted some introspection was needed before he was ready to get back to the action.
“You know, you've got to dig deep, and you've got to prove to yourself you are what you say you are,†McGregor said. “So, that's what it was for me. I was using it as motivation. It takes a lot of deep internal work to return from an injury like that. I just used that as motivation. Lovely. I wish for it to be that way because now I can show, and on Saturday night I'm gonna show. I love fight night, fight week, and god willing I'm back here next week and the week after. We plan on getting busy here. So, I'll need to keep that fire and that venom. Literally, that's what it will be. It will be venomous inside this Octagon.â€
McGregor is the underdog going into his clash with Holloway, as many question just how much “Mystic Mac†has left given his inactivity. “Blessed†is motivated to put on a vintage performance after his disappointing BMF title loss against Charles Oliveira back in March. McGregor's insists that his motivation overpowers any man that stands across from him.
Will Conor McGregor's decision to return pay off in more ways than a big check on Saturday, or will it be a bad night in the office for the megastar? Leave a comment with your opinion in the chat below.
You may like
MMA
Anthony Smith pleads not guilty to four felony charges in Nebraska
Published
6 hours agoon
August 18, 2026
Smith has pleaded not guilty to four felony charges stemming
from a July domestic incident in Nebraska.
Court records confirmed
Smith’s plea, resulting in the cancellation of an arraignment
scheduled for Aug. 17. The former
Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight title
challenger is now due back in court for a status hearing Sept. 21
in Sarpy County.
Former UFC title challenger Anthony Smith faces four felony
charges stemming from an alleged July domestic incident in Gretna,
Nebraska
Smith faces one Class 2 felony count involving an attempted Class 1
offense, a terroristic-threats charge and two counts of
first-degree false imprisonment, all classified as Class 3A
felonies. A Class 2 felony in Nebraska can carry a prison term of
one to 50 years, while Class 3A felonies carry up to three years of
imprisonment and 18 months of post-release supervision.
Prosecutors allege that Smith became involved in an altercation
with his wife at a Gretna, Nebraska, bar on July 26. They claim
Smith threatened to kill his wife, forced her into his vehicle and
later attempted to strike her with the vehicle after she exited it.
His wife was not physically injured, according to prosecutors’
account.
Smith has not publicly addressed the allegations. His wife, Mikhala
Renee Newman, previously offered a different characterization of
the incident, saying Smith was experiencing a mental health crisis
and that she had sought help to protect him from himself.
MMA
Gillian Robertson rejects Din Thomas' apology due to insincerity: "I don't think there's a conversation to be had"
Published
7 hours agoon
August 18, 2026
Zuffa LLCThe relationship between Gillian Robertson and coach Din Thomas appears to have been fractured.
Thomas was in Robertson's corner for the UFC 330 co-main event. Robertson challenged Mackenzie Dern for the women's strawweight title this past Saturday in Philadelphia. “The Savage†ultimately had her five-fight winning streak snapped, and her bid for UFC gold fell short via unanimous decision.
During the UFC 330 post-fight show on Paramount+, Thomas announced that he will no longer be cornering fighters. While many felt the timing of Thomas' reveal was bizarre, the backlash occurred when the longtime coach said he felt Robertson came as close as she'll ever get to winning UFC gold.
During Monday's edition of “Deep Waters,†Thomas apologized for his comments and even called them “despicable.†Despite the apology, Robertson isn't exactly forgiving. On a recent episode of “The Ariel Helwani Show,†Helwani detailed a message that Robertson sent to him (via Home of Fight).
I reached out to Gillian Robertson following Din Thomas' comments and subsequent apology to get her thoughts on the situation. Here’s what she had to say:
“Prior to [Saturday’s broadcast], I didn’t see any sign of what was to be said.
After the broadcast, he had said, ‘I will… pic.twitter.com/NnoonGmkGQ
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 18, 2026
“He did reach out to me privately at 5:00 PM and then sent a voice message apologizing around 7:30 PM, to which I have not responded due to comments he has made since the broadcast, privately, to my team that led me to believe there is not much weight in the apology, such as, ‘Me doing that publicly was more so for TV purposes and ratings,’†Robertson wrote.
The top 115-pounder seems ready to move on from the situation, and she wants to get back to work as soon as possible.
“I don't think there's a conversation to be had,†Robertson wrote. “I'm good with everything. The people who sign my checks are cool. As for now, I regroup, take some time to heal, and I will be back in the gym as soon as possible on the same mission.â€
Thomas noted that he had been considering ending his run cornering fighters long before Robertson fought Dern. The former American Top Team mentor said he thought he'd be done after Tyron Woodley was knocked out by Jake Paul in their boxing rematch back in 2021. Whether or not he sticks to it this time remains to be seen.
Do you agree with Gillian Robertson's response to Din Thomas' apology? Sound off in the comments below.
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
DWCS Week 2 official after all 10 fighters make weight
Anthony Smith pleads not guilty to four felony charges in Nebraska
Gillian Robertson rejects Din Thomas' apology due to insincerity: "I don't think there's a conversation to be had"
Trending
-
MMA2 days agoJalin Turner explains how he handled the burden of hurting his opponents
-
MMA2 days agoDin Thomas retires from cornering after Gillian Robertson’s UFC 330 loss
-
MMA2 days agoCharles Johnson’s wild UFC 330 submission was no fluke: ‘Once or twice a week’
-
MMA1 day agoIan Machado Garry sends defiant message after Islam Makhachev defeat
-
MMA2 days agoChidi Njokuani explains bizarre UFC 330 weigh-in mix-up
-
MMA2 days agoLucas Fernando nearly quit MMA before breakthrough UFC 330 victory
-
MMA2 days agoNeil Magny closes in on Jim Miller’s all-time UFC wins record
-
MMA2 days agoIan Garry confronts Michael Morales at UFC 330: ‘Make sure you back it up’


