Jake Paul, known for his outspoken nature, did not mince words when discussing Conor McGregor during a recent appearance on “The MMA Hour” hosted by Ariel Helwani.
When Helwani broached the topic of McGregor potentially attending Paul’s upcoming boxing match against Mike Perry, Paul’s response was provocatively candid.
In the interview, Paul sharply criticized McGregor, suggesting that the former two-division UFC champion’s presence at the event would be less than headline-worthy. “He needs to attend rehab,” Paul remarked bluntly. “Look, we can get him a fourth or fifth row ticket. But he’s kind of lost his celebrity and star power. I don’t think people really care about him but I’m sure I could comp him a fourth or fifth row.”
This biting commentary comes amidst ongoing speculation about McGregor’s career and personal life. McGregor was slated to make a highly anticipated return to the UFC at UFC 303 in a fight against Michael Chandler, but the bout was postponed due to an undisclosed injury.
Adding fuel to the fire, former UFC star Chael Sonnen hinted that McGregor might be in rehab rather than sidelined by injury, though McGregor’s team has strongly refuted these claims.
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McGregor’s recent track record in the UFC has been less than stellar. He has not stepped into the Octagon since July 2021 and has not secured a UFC victory since January 2020, amassing a record of 1-3 in his last four fights.
Paul continued his critique by questioning McGregor’s relevance and the impact of his recent actions on his legacy. “I would disagree [he’s still the biggest draw],” he stated. “There’s new sheriffs in town. He hasn’t won a fight in what, six or seven years? I don’t even know how long it’s been. He’s embarrassing himself. He’s ruining his legacy with all the drugs and the way he looks online. He’s lost his mind, he’s a maniac.”
“At one point, Conor was great. Everyone loved Conor but I feel bad for the guy now. You could say all these things about him but he hasn’t proven it, he hasn’t backed anything up and that’s the way I look at it is from the facts and the numbers.”
McGregor remains a highly divisive figure in the world of combat sports, and while his star power has undoubtedly influenced the sport, the recent critiques by figures like Paul highlight a stark contrast between his past achievements and his current circumstances. Whether McGregor can reclaim his former glory remains to be seen, but for now, his challenges appear to be mounting both inside and outside the ring.
