Conor McGregor may be away from fighting for a while. But ‘The Notorious’ is never away from his perkily unhinged fuse and demeanor. Those who have met him in the UFC octagon found that out in a whole other way. Sometimes though, even people outside fighting find out what it means to mingle with the ‘Notorious’ notoriety. Comedian and content creator Specs Gonzalez found that out the hard way.
There are those like influencer KSI or Darren “IShowSpeed” who have had their foray into combat sports. KSI, especially, has kept close connections with the Paul brothers. But Specs is a different breed. A former P.E. teacher, he swapped the rigor for TikTok and YouTube. Off social media, the popular presenter also works for Sky Sports. Gonzalez is nowhere even near the combat sports grind. Hence, it was naturally weird when Conor McGregor head-locked him at their meeting years ago, jokingly.
Oo, Okay — My favorite guest to interview: Ronaldinho, I’m gonna say. Conor McGregor’s up there as well…He actually got my head in. Bro, he… I’m actually…I’m standing there. I’ve never met him before. He’s covered my hands over me, he’s covered me in a sleeper hold. I’m thinking it’s one of the boys – It’s Conor McGregor! Bro, get your hands off me bro! I ain’t met you yet. A UFC [fighter] can’t grab you from behind as a joke…
Specs Gonzalez to James Duncan and Fuhad Dawodu for ‘ShxtsnGigs Podcast’ (@ShtsNGigsPodcast) | EP 431
McGregor met him in 2020 during the launch of Reebok Zig Kinetica, for JD Sports (@JDsportsOfficial) in Dublin. In a special edition of ‘Outside The Box’, the boys cut it up about Reebok, Specs’ “stylish glasses” and how “Mac” got his notorious nickname. Gonzalez mentioned that the Irishman, keeping to his brisk, animated, foul-spelled manners, went for a “got ya” choke. Well – it’s better than a vehicular ambush or cageside brawl at least.
McGregor’s dapperly unhingedness has been at the forefront many times. However, it’s usually other athletes who can weather that. All in all, though, Gonzalez relives the thought of a sleeper hold from a UFC fighter rather jokingly. As for the Dubliner, he has been on the bench since his leg break three years ago. He isn’t choking anyone inside the eight-edge ring any soon.
Will UFC star Conor McGregor ever fight again?
The closest the UFC clique got to a potential Conor McGregor return was in June. McGregor was to be the top bill for the UFC 303 pay-per-view. However, he canceled media obligations due to a toe injury and ultimately pulled out. McGregor, 36, has not fought since his first-round TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. There are doubts over whether McGregor can regain his old form, having lost three of his last four fights.
The Team SBG Ireland’s top crop won the UFC featherweight championship in 2015 and the lightweight championship in 2016. However, he has had no influence over the UFC pound-for-pound listings these last few years. Winning his first reality TV coaching stint, he was to face Michael Chandler next. Then, a few weeks back, Chandler moved on to fight another, accepting to rematch with Charles Oliveira. They now serve as the pay-per-view feature co-mains at UFC 309, in November.
If Conor isn’t fighting on Dec. 7, who’s headlining that card?
We pondered on yesterday’s show. pic.twitter.com/QBNE10LFzR
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 24, 2024
With layoff approaching 1,200 days, ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor is notoriously waning off his superstardom standards. Per most sportsbook promos and lineups, McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) was a mere -115 bettor fave. ‘Iron’ had closed the gap at bits, at 105; the betting promos were dropping faster and faster.
The fighter still enjoys his usual lineup of callouts but does not have a booking. There are no buildups, no ranking, and very little hope. With the last two pay-per-view cards filling up to the brim, McGregor is promising a 2025 return. However, there’s also the notion of brass keeping McGregor locked up for new billion-dollar broadcasting deals. With him vying for free agency and freedom as MMA promoter, his “UFC” return looks anything but positive.
