Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return at UFC 329 did not go according to plan. After more than 1,800 days away from the Octagon, the Irishman finally stepped back into competition for the first time since his devastating leg injury against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. However, what was supposed to be a triumphant comeback quickly turned into another major setback.
Having spent years dealing with legal troubles and recovering from his injury, McGregor was finally ready to compete again. But his return could hardly have gone worse. The former double champion suffered ACL and meniscus tears before getting stopped by Max Holloway in just 69 seconds. He has since undergone knee surgery and could be out of action for another year.
Still, McGregor isn’t ready to call it quits. He wants to complete the final fight on his UFC contract and has his eyes set on a trilogy showdown with Holloway. While many fans aren’t convinced that the fight will ever materialize, the Irishman continues to make it clear that he intends to return.
In fact, McGregor was back making headlines following Canelo Alvarez’s October 31 clash with Christian Mbilli. The Mexican superstar is one of the biggest attractions in combat sports, but McGregor wasn’t particularly impressed by the comparison to his own drawing power. The former UFC champion believes his appearances inside the Octagon have generated, and will continue to do so, a level of attention that even Canelo cannot match.
Conor McGregor’s Drawing Power Remains Unmatched Despite Recent UFC Setbacks
McGregor took to X to question Canelo’s numbers, comparing the Mexican boxer’s drawing power with his own. He wrote, “How many views did the Canelo fight get? How many in attendance? Gate? Man, I outdo ALL of these people in sales. Majorly. EVERY SINGLE ONE. With ease. Maybe even combined. I don’t even be trying.”
He followed it up with another post, adding, “I was on the same time as the World Cup semifinal and still done all them numbers in that last bullshit that I’ve to sit with for another few months before I return. I’m going to actually try to sell the fight for my next one. My final fight. See what numbers I can generate. Keep outdoing my own records.”
How many views did the canelo fight get? How many in attendance? Gate ?
Man I outdo ALL of these people in sales. Majorly. EVERY SINGLE ONE. With ease. Maybe even combined.
I don’t even be trying.
I was on the same time as the World Cup semi final and still done all them numbers in that last bullshit that I’ve to sit with for another few months before I return.
I’m going to actually try to sell the fight for my next one. My final fight. See what numbers I can generate. Keep outdoing my own records.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 1, 2026
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Although many fans have grown skeptical of McGregor’s fight-related promises, his commercial track record is difficult to overlook. The Irishman has featured in eight of the UFC’s 10 biggest-selling events, with UFC 229 still holding the top spot.
McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov headlined UFC 229 in October 2018 in what remains one of the most iconic rivalries in MMA history. Their showdown generated more than 2.4 million pay-per-view buys, making it the highest-selling event in UFC history. McGregor’s latest comeback at UFC 329 also made a significant impact commercially, reportedly generating a record-breaking live gate of more than $25 million.
As for what comes next, McGregor has reportedly set his sights on International Fight Week 2027 for his return. The Irishman is expected to make his comeback after recovering from his knee injury, with the bout potentially marking his final appearance under his current UFC contract.
Kshitiz Kumar Singh is a UFC Writer at NY Fights with over three years of experience in sports journalism and content creation. Known for his sharp storytelling and passion for combat sports, he has written in-depth features on stars like Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, and Ilia Topuria. Before joining NY Fights, Kshitiz worked as a UFC Editor at EssentiallySports while currently serving as a WWE Editor at FirstSportz. His admiration for legends like Georges St-Pierre continues to inspire his detailed and engaging MMA coverage. Whether he’s covering the Octagon or the squared circle, Kshitiz is committed to delivering accurate, high-quality content. Outside the world of sports, he’s a dedicated cinephile, often found practicing monologues from his favorite Al Pacino films, combining his love for cinema with storytelling.
