In a recent interview with TheMacLife, UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal shared his thoughts on Conor McGregor‘s highly-anticipated return to the octagon at UFC 286. While Masvidal acknowledged McGregor’s status as a former two-division champion and one of the biggest stars in MMA, he expressed doubts about McGregor’s current form and ability to compete at the highest level.
When asked about McGregor’s return, Masvidal responded, “I don’t think he’s the same guy anymore. He’s had some tough fights, some tough losses. I don’t know if he’s got the same fire in him, the same hunger that he had before.” Masvidal went on to say that while he respects McGregor’s accomplishments in the sport, he believes that McGregor may struggle to recapture the same level of dominance he once had.
Despite his reservations, Masvidal did not rule out the possibility of a future matchup with McGregor. “If it makes sense for me and it makes sense for him, we’ll do it,” he said. “But right now, I’m just focused on getting back to the top of the division and getting that belt.”
Masvidal, who is coming off a loss to welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 261, is currently ranked number four in the division. McGregor, who has not fought since his loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, is probably scheduled to face off against lightweight contender Michael Chandler in his return to the octagon.
While the outcome of McGregor’s comeback remains to be seen, it’s clear that his status as one of the biggest names in the sport ensures that he will continue to be a topic of discussion and debate among MMA fans and pundits alike.
The whole Interview is available here: