Al Iaquinta expressed skepticism about Conor McGregor returning to the Octagon, despite the Irish star’s ongoing hints at a comeback. Since recovering from a broken leg sustained in his 2021 clash with Dustin Poirier at <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/mma/ufc/”>UFC 264, McGregor has yet to compete again, even withdrawing from a scheduled fight against Michael Chandler last summer due to injury. Although McGregor recently passed one of the required drug tests to regain fighting eligibility, doubts remain about whether he will fight again, given his possible political ambitions in Ireland and prolonged absence from competition.
Speaking to Bloody Elbow, Iaquinta, who never faced McGregor inside the cage but once went the distance with Khabib Nurmagomedov in a lightweight title fight at UFC 223, shared his thoughts on McGregor’s future in the sport. Iaquinta recalled that McGregor had once considered him a target after critical remarks Iaquinta made about McGregor’s loss to Nurmagomedov. Reflecting on McGregor’s current age and lifestyle, Iaquinta doubts a return is on the horizon.
If I had to say, no, I would think that he doesn’t,
Iaquinta told Bloody Elbow.
He expanded further on McGregor‘s condition, saying,
He’s living a good life, and the longer you go without fighting, the harder it is to come back. So you almost hope that he doesn’t,
before concluding,
I don’t know. It seems like he’s a little out of his mind still, so we’ll see,
highlighting the uncertainty surrounding McGregor’s next steps.
Ilia Topuria Seen as the Next Level of the ‘Conor McGregor Blueprint’ by Iaquinta
While doubtful of McGregor’s return, Iaquinta expressed strong admiration for lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, describing him as the embodiment of a new, elevated version of the McGregor archetype. Topuria recently improved to a perfect 17-0 record following a first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, capturing the lightweight title and becoming one of UFC history’s select multi-division champions. Iaquinta noted several parallels between Topuria and McGregor—from his unbeaten featherweight championship streak to his tattoos—and acknowledged that some have criticized Topuria for resembling McGregor in ways that might not appeal to all fans.
Nevertheless, Iaquinta believes Topuria has advanced the formula with his own style and maturity.
He’s great. He’s the total package, right?
Iaquinta said, praising the 28-year-old champion.
Elaborating on Topuria’s character, Iaquinta added,
“I think he speaks well. He’s an inspiration to the younger generation. He’s a positive role model. I think he’s kind of got his head straight to where he’s like a family guy.”
He foresees Topuria maintaining a long and positive reign in the sport, calling him “the next evolution” and comparing him directly to McGregor.
Conor was one of a kind, but he definitely is, he’s doing it in his own way,
Iaquinta observed.
He expanded on this idea by noting,
“He’s doing it his own way, but he’s taking a lot from the Conor book. It’s cool to see.”
The former contender also expressed interest in a future bout between Topuria and former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, framing it as a modern parallel to the legendary Tony Ferguson versus Khabib Nurmagomedov rivalry.
I’m interested in seeing what happens next…
The Future of UFC’s Lightweight Division and McGregor’s Legacy
With McGregor’s fight status uncertain, attention is shifting toward emerging talents who embody his influential fighting style and charisma. Iaquinta’s comments underline a generational handover in the lightweight division, where Ilia Topuria is positioning himself as the fresh face building on McGregor’s groundwork. Topuria’s combination of skill, personality, and maturity resonates with fans and fighters alike, suggesting he may define the next era of UFC competition.
Meanwhile, McGregor’s potential involvement in politics and his injuries have contributed to ongoing doubts about his career continuation. If McGregor does not return, fighters like Topuria will carry the torch, advancing the sport with their own approaches while drawing from McGregor’s impactful blueprint.