Fight fans are convinced Conor McGregor will 'never fight again' after a clip with Stephen Thompson from The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) has gone viral.
McGregor returned to the UFC mix by competing against Michael Chandler in the latest series of TUF.
It's his second stint as a coach on TUF, having also been paired against Urijah Faber.
And in the latest episode of this season's TUF, the 'Notorious' drafted in perennial welterweight contender Thompson, who helped mentor his team.
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On the UFC star, McGregor said: "Wonderboy’ is one of the best distance practitioners in the game.
"He’s a phenomenal athlete, a phenomenal technician."
During the exchange, Thompson tried to get the Irishman involved, but he appeared to look disinterested.
Thompson asked the 34-year-old: "You’re going to help me coach today?"
McGregor's telling reaction caused concern among UFC fans on social media.
One Twitter user wrote: "This guy seems in no condition to compete."
A second tweeted: "Just give us Wonderboy vs chandler at 170."
A third claimed: "TUF was a PR stunt for Conor. nothing more. The fight with Chandler ain’t happening."
A fourth added: "LOL Conor was never there."
Another questioned: "Conor's never fighting again is he."
The former UFC double champion, who hasn't fought since his crushing defeat to Dustin Poirier in July 2021, seemed set to return to the famed Octagon against Chandler.
But the veteran American, who's also coming off a defeat to Poirier, has cast doubt over a fight with the UFC superstar after claiming his rival has not entered the USADA drug-testing pool.
"You guys have all seen the news: Conor's not in USADA," he said in a video posted on social media,
"One hundred and seventy-nine days left until 16 December, which is supposed to be the last pay-per-view of the year.
"And comically, USADA shows up at my door today to add insult to injury."
Will McGregor vs. Chandler happen? Watch this space.
Topics: Conor McGregor, UFC, Fan Reactions
Nasir Jabbar