“Greatest Since Bruce Lee” – Conor McGregor Questions Exclusion From GOAT Ranking in the UFC Featherweight Division

Former two divisional champion Conor McGregor reveals disappointment with his ranking in the featherweight GOAT discussion.

“Greatest Since Bruce Lee” – Conor McGregor Questions Exclusion From GOAT Ranking in the UFC Featherweight Division

Conor McGregor claims himself as the greatest featherweight (via Instagram, The Independent)

Conor McGregor‘s rise to global stardom was built on his remarkable featherweight run, producing several career-defining performances. Although he later fought at lightweight and welterweight, his achievements at 145 pounds remain in a class of their own. The Irishman has now reignited debate by controversially declaring himself the greatest featherweight in UFC history.

McGregor enjoyed a historic run at 145 pounds in the UFC, defeating elite contenders before capturing the title with his iconic 13-second knockout of José Aldo. He also earned notable victories over Dustin Poirier, Chad Mendes, and Diego Brandao during his climb. However, he never defended the featherweight championship before moving to lightweight in pursuit of a second UFC title.

McGregor later moved to lightweight and welterweight, becoming UFC’s first simultaneous two-division champion. He now returns at UFC 329 to headline a welterweight rematch against Max Holloway after nearly five years of inactivity. During UFC media responsibilities at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, McGregor controversially claimed he ranks behind only Bruce Lee as the featherweight’s greatest fighter.

I want to prove my level. How have I beaten these men so easily and so handily, yet been kept off the list? Who is the greatest and who is the best? It’s me. I’m the greatest featherweight since Bruce Lee.

Conor McGregor via ESPN MMA

However, the featherweight GOAT debate has continued for years, with José Aldo remaining a leading contender for a long time. Aldo defended the UFC featherweight title seven times and remained undefeated for 18 consecutive fights during his prime run. His dominant reign cemented his legacy at 145 pounds.

However, recent years have largely belonged to Alexander Volkanovski, whose dominance has strengthened his case as the GOAT. The Australian became a two-time champion at UFC 314 with a victory over Diego Lopes. He later defended the championship against Lopes in their UFC 325 rematch.

Another prominent figure in the debate is Max Holloway, whose featherweight résumé rivals McGregor’s. Holloway defended the UFC featherweight title three times and holds multiple divisional records. However, his three losses to Volkanovski have somewhat affected his featherweight GOAT case.

This is not the first time McGregor has declared himself the featherweight GOAT. In 2023, he made the same claim after a social media poll comparing the division’s greatest fighters.

The statement drew criticism, with many pointing to his lack of title defenses despite his remarkable accomplishments. Some fans felt even Ilia Topuria belonged in the discussions, considering how ‘El Matador’ never lost at 145lbs and beat both Holloway and Volkanovski.

Conor McGregor remains one of UFC’s most accomplished stars, becoming the promotion’s first simultaneous two-division champion and its biggest pay-per-view attraction. However, despite the featherweight GOAT debate, the Irishman remains fully confident in his own legacy at 145 pounds.

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Conor McGregor reveals the motivation behind his recovery from leg injury

Conor McGregor faced Dustin Poirier in their highly anticipated trilogy bout at UFC 264, with both fighters seeking a decisive victory after splitting two meetings. However, the fight ended after the opening round when McGregor suffered a devastating broken leg, handing Poirier a TKO victory.

McGregor suffered a fractured left tibia and fibula after the final exchanges of the opening round, requiring immediate surgery. He spent months recovering before gradually returning to full training and rebuilding his strength. The rehabilitation kept him out for nearly five years before UFC 329.

Conor McGregor's leg injury
Conor McGregor’s leg injury (via The New York Post)

Following the injury, UFC commentator Joe Rogan believed McGregor’s career inside the Octagon could be over. The devastating leg break raised serious doubts about whether he could ever compete at the highest level again. Recovering from such an injury carries long-term implications for any fighter.

However, the Irishman later suffered a pinky toe injury that forced him out of UFC 303. Despite that setback, the UFC 264 leg break remains one of the most brutal injuries in UFC history. McGregor recently revealed how he found the motivation to overcome the lengthy rehabilitation and continue his comeback.

I feel absolute confidence. You gotta dig deep… it takes a lot of deep internal work to return from an injury like that.

Conor McGregor via ESPN MMA

However, Conor McGregor’s recovery drew further scrutiny after a New York Times investigation examined allegations surrounding banned substances and PED use. The report did not establish an anti-doping violation. Even so, the controversy continued to follow his comeback.

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