Outside Source
During the BKFC 83 press conference Thursday ahead of Chris Camozzi vs. Alessio Sakara in Italy this weekend, company part-owner McGregor appeared after a few weeks away from social media. Nearly three weeks ago, the Irishman posted on social media, “Hey folks online, I’m out of here for a bit, see you again soon,” and has not made any public statements since then. That post came a day before it was announced “Notorious” was suspended 18 months by the promotion and its anti-doping partner for multiple whereabouts violations.
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McGregor has been in the news for a variety of additional reasons beyond his suspension from combat, ranging from his pitching to be part of the UFC White House event to his being found civilly liable for sexual assault of Nikita Hand in 2018. The 37-year-old even briefly considered a run for president in his home country of Ireland, but dropped the bid due a lack of public support for his candidacy. Additionally, he did not reach the threshold of nomination by 20 members of the Irish Parliament or a number of city or county councils within the nation.
The World Is in for a Treat
At the press conference, McGregor was asked about his life changes that he suggested were underway.
“I am not here just by chance,” McGregor remarked. “There is a higher power, God, that dictates my journey and all of our journeys, and I live my life by God’s word. Since around that time that you mentioned at that last event, I’ve engaged on a spiritual journey. I’m saved. I am healed. On the back of that, the world is in for a treat. My competitive spark that was once in my heart is now a roaring blaze, so I’m very excited.”
The fighter from Dublin did not go into detail as to the nature of his personal journey, nor did he dig deeper on his faith. He opted not to touch on his suspension, rather electing to shower praise on the bare-knuckle boxers set to compete the following day in Rome. Ever the flirt, he once again expressed envy in those that are allowed to fight under its banner, while suggesting that he is as ready as ever to set foot in a cage again.
“I’m eager to get back, and right now I had to dial myself in and go inward, and that I’ve done, and I’m very, very excited to come back to my own self,” he expressed.
McGregor has not competed in MMA since back-to-back 2021 matches against Dustin Poirier in January and July 2021. McGregor was knocked out for the first time in his career in the former, and broke his leg at the end of the first stanza in their rubber match atop UFC 264. He was linked to a match with Michael Chandler for years, serving as the opposing coach against “Iron Mike” on the 31st season of “The Ultimate Fighter.” A broken toe prior to UFC 303 in June 2024 put him back on the shelf.
The ex-champ reflected a bit on himself and admitted that not every decision has been the right one, but still feels he has a story worth telling for years to come.
“I would like to leave a legacy that can be looked upon as a lesson,” he explained. “You’ve seen with me what works. I showed what works. And also, I showed what doesn’t work. And now I’m in a stage where I come back and show again what I’m about. So, I would love to show as my career as lesson for people to study and to go on and entertain the world as I have done. And secure their families’ future. And that’s my goal here.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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