CONOR MCGREGOR ADMITS LOSING PASSION FOR MMA DURING ABSENCE

Conor McGregor stated that he lost his love for mixed martial arts at one point during his career, attributing this loss of passion to poor decisions in his personal life. Speaking to Paramount+ ahead of his comeback fight against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on 11 July, the Dublin native said he had achieved his major career goals by the age of 27, including becoming a two-division UFC champion. McGregor told the interviewer that he felt he "had the game conquered" and questioned what more remained for him to accomplish, saying "I got lost."

McGregor's 2013 social media post outlined ambitions to win two UFC titles, earn a Hall of Fame place, obtain a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and accumulate $25 million. By 2016, he had exceeded all these targets. His 2017 fight against boxer Floyd Mayweather reportedly earned him an estimated $130 million, after which his motivation gradually diminished. McGregor later acknowledged falling out of love with MMA before his bout against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in 2018, though he stated at that time his commitment was to competition.

McGregor indicated he has since rekindled his passion for the sport. He acknowledged that during certain periods he may have disrespected the position he held and that some fans may have perceived a lack of commitment to MMA. He expressed the view that true love for something brings people home, framing his return as a reconnection with the sport he previously dominated.