Usman Nurmagomedov doubts Conor McGregor shows for Holloway fight

Usman Nurmagomedov does not expect Conor McGregor to make it to the cage for his scheduled fight with Max Holloway.

The Bellator lightweight champion shared his doubts about McGregor's return during a recent interview, per Sherdog. "He will probably NOT make it to his fight with Max Holloway," Nurmagomedov reportedly said, though he added that a McGregor comeback victory would be positive for the sport.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to UFC Fight Night: Allen vs Duncan on Ticketmaster →

What McGregor's return means for MMA

Nurmagomedov acknowledged that if the Irishman does show up and defeats Holloway, the result would generate significant attention for mixed martial arts. McGregor has not competed since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021, and multiple planned returns have fallen through over the past three years.

The former two-division UFC champion was booked to face Michael Chandler last summer before withdrawing with a toe injury. A fight with Holloway represents another high-profile matchup that could draw mainstream interest, though Nurmagomedov's skepticism reflects a widespread sentiment among fighters and fans who have watched McGregor's comeback attempts stall repeatedly.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to UFC Fight Night: Allen vs Duncan on Ticketmaster →

No official date has been announced for the McGregor-Holloway bout. Nurmagomedov defends his Bellator title at PFL New York on July 31.

Source: sherdog.com