UFC GOAT Candidate Reveals Biggest Thing Holding Conor McGregor Back Ahead of UFC 329 Return

UFC legend Conor McGregor is eyeing a return at UFC 329 at 170lbs, but a GOAT contender believes one key issue could derail his comeback.

UFC GOAT Candidate Reveals Biggest Thing Holding Conor McGregor Back Ahead of UFC 329 Return

Conor McGregor [via Lowkick MMA]

Returning to the cage after a long layoff is an incredibly difficult undertaking, especially at the highest level. The sport has seen many legends return after extended absences as shells of themselves. So, as Conor McGregor gears up to return against a hungry Max Holloway at UFC 329, MMA legend Georges St–Pierre has some advice for him.

St-Pierre is regarded by many as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time. He holds the record for the most title defenses in UFC welterweight history at 9. Not only that, but he is also one of only 11 double champions in the company’s history. But it is the circumstances in which he won the second title that enable him to advise the Irishman.

‘Rush’ won the middleweight title from Michael Bisping at UFC 217 in 2017 after a 4-year absence from the sport. As such, he has pointed out the biggest factor that could hold back his fellow double champion from a successful comeback this July.

[Conor McGregor] needs to put himself into that position, not be the boss, let your coach be the boss. Because when you fight, it’s a very unpleasant environment, you don’t control nothing. If you don’t let your coaches do that for you, put you in hell, that’s a problem because it’s not reality.

Georges St-Pierre via Breaktalk

St-Pierre also suggested how the Irishman could potentially remedy his coaching situation to ensure an optimal training camp for his return fight.

I think if Conor McGregor can put himself back into the grind and be hungry, into that hell zone. He has to see it in a way that he’s in the tunnel, but the light is after the fight. After going through that journey in order to see the light, but I’m not gonna put myself in the light until I’m done with the fight. If he puts himself in that zone, we’re gonna have a hell of a fight.

Georges St-Pierre via Breaktalk

A lot has been made of Conor McGregor’s return so far, and GSP is not the first one to express concern over it. Former middleweight champion Chris Weidman also said he expects this return to be difficult for the former lightweight, albeit his reasoning was wholly different from Rush’s. Moreover, the 37-year-old’s training clips have left many fans unconvinced.

The prevailing opinion on what version of McGregor will arrive at UFC 329 is quite divided. Many fighters have expressed concerns similar to GSP, pointing to the fact that not only is the Irishman returning after nearly 5 years, but he is doing so after recovering from a career-threatening injury. Even so, ‘The Notorious’ has revealed that he has a new approach to fighting and expects to do well in his comeback.

However, many have also backed the former featherweight to have the edge over Max Holloway in their upcoming bout. Among those in the latter camp is the man St-Pierre beat to win the middleweight title, Michael Bisping. The English ex-fighter has revealed an advantage that the Irishman will have over ‘Blessed’ come July 11.

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Michael Bisping highlights an “early” advantage Conor McGregor will have at UFC 329

Conor McGregor started his UFC career as a featherweight with incredible accuracy, timing, and power. But throughout his career, the Irish phenom has fought across two more weight classes, making appearances in the UFC’s lightweight and welterweight divisions, even winning a belt in the former. As such, the upcoming bout against Max Holloway will be McGregor’s fourth welterweight bout.

Michael Bisping, Conor McGregor
Michael Bisping thinks Conor McGregor will have an advantage over Max Holloway at UFC 329 [via MMA Fighting]

Given the higher weight class against an opponent debuting at 170lbs, Michael Bisping thinks the former double champion will have a power advtange over the Hawaiian early on in the fight. Bisping told MMA Junkie this even as he underscored the difficulty of returning from a layoff like the 37-year-old’s 5-year absence from the sport.

It’s not going to be easy: five years away, 170 [pounds] – that favors him early because we all know he’s got the power. We’ll see. I’m very, very intrigued.

Michael Bisping via MMA Junkie

Other analysts have conversely predicted the former BMF titleholder to carry more power as he makes his welterweight debut. That said, the jury is ultimately out on who will have more knockout power in this heavier weight class. But those questions will be answered soon with Conor McGregor’s comeback less than a month away.

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