Conor McGregor Surprises with New Look as 2026 UFC Return Talks Again Heat Up: “This Version Beats Khabib”

UFC star Conor McGregor debuts Chuck Liddell-inspired mohawk, sparking hilarious fan reactions amid buzz around his comeback.

Conor McGregor Surprises with New Look as 2026 UFC Return Talks Again Heat Up: “This Version Beats Khabib”

UFC's Conor McGregor opted for a new look this week (Source: X)

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Former UFC two-division champion Conor McGregor hasn’t stepped into the Octagon since suffering a leg break in his 2021 TKO loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. With no definitive update on his return to action, speculation continues to swirl. In the meantime, ‘The Notorious’ has debuted a fresh new look as he continues life outside the cage.

The Irishman last turned heads with a dramatic new look in the summer of 2024, just as he was gearing up to face Michael Chandler. He was set to make his long-awaited return at UFC 303 during International Fight Week. But a broken pinky toe forced him to withdraw. And now, McGregor surprised fans again, this time by debuting a bold, mohawk look inspired by none other than Chuck Liddell.

Recently, UFC CEO Dana White hinted at a possible meeting with McGregor in Italy in the coming weeks, sparking speculation among fans that a major fight announcement could be on the horizon. However, despite excitement, McGregor hasn’t been involved in any serious fight negotiations lately. UFC 320 and 321 PPV lineups have already been announced. Both are without his name, and he still hasn’t entered the DFSI testing pool in 2025.

As it turns out, the trip to Rome might simply be a personal one for White’s birthday. Given his love for the Colosseum and the timing of BKFC Rome this fall, where McGregor is a co-owner, it may not be fight-related at all.

Meanwhile, McGregor has kept busy with his usual antics, though they haven’t exactly inspired confidence—public outbursts, controversial behavior, and the occasional over-the-top PDA. Still, he insists he’s “all-in” for a rumored return at the America 250 July 4th White House Concept PPV card.

However, his popularity as a PPV king and for selling out arenas is at an all-time low. A Dublin Civil Court has rubbished his social standing, levying €248,000 in damages for assault charges in a case dating back to 2018. This week, McGregor wrote in his tweet-spree to resolve Irish homeland issues and not to get distracted by his controversy of unsolicited NSFW selfies sent to rapper Azealia Banks, which were later made public.

But the truth of the matter is, such incidents do not favor the fighter and are slowly chipping away at his fame. It is safe to say that he is also not a prime candidate to stride into the White House PPV lineup, given that he is the undisputed champion of year-long controversies.

However, some antics away from fighting do instill hope that ‘Mystic Mac’ is at least moving in the direction of coming back to the Octagon. And McGregor morphing into ‘The Iceman’ has gotten many fan responses.

Fight fans react to Conor ‘The Iceman’ McGregor

The fight world got its “Iceman 2.0” long before GTA 6 ever dropped. Before McGregor took over the spotlight, Chuck Liddell was the ultimate knockout phenom in MMA. Widely considered one of the sport’s first true superstars, Liddell’s legendary run paved the way for fighters like McGregor.

It’s likely that a young debuting Conor drew major inspiration from Liddell’s fearless style and storied career. Even today, the former light heavyweight kingpin remains an icon across generations.

Fans react to Conor McGregor Mohawk throwbackFans react to Conor McGregor Mohawk throwback
Fans react to Conor McGregor’s Mohawk throwback (Source: X)

When the Dubliner first stormed onto the UFC scene at 25, he rocked a sharp mohawk, an iconic look that matched his knockout power and swagger. Now, McGregor’s brought it back, sparking talk of a potential new era. Could this be the return of “Mohawk Mac” and a fresh chapter in his career? In the meantime, here are some fiery fan-made renders that capture what comes to mind when they picture the mohawked McGregor making his comeback.

Aside from the Liddell comparisons, some fans have drawn parallels between McGregor’s recent antics and Brock Lesnar’s bizarre “yee-haw” cowboy phase, an odd era where Lesnar played a non-heel character with a mysterious edge.

This time, McGregor’s wild camera angles, once again starting at his boxers and creeping up, had some fans jokingly pleading with him to skip the usual nose-blows. Still, the return of “Mohawk Mac” has sparked excitement.

One fan (@propernator) boldly claimed this version of McGregor could even beat longtime rival Khabib Nurmagomedov. Another (@BiGBeNJO37) took it as a sign that McGregor is “all-in” and gearing up for a comeback. Between the antics and reactions, one thing’s clear: the hype around McGregor never really dies.

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