Will McGregor Return To His Best?

Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman has given his take on Conor McGregor’s struggles in returning to the UFC following his 2021 leg injury.

McGregor is widely expected to headline International Fight Week on July 11, 2026, in Las Vegas. If the deal is finalized, it will mark nearly five years since his leg snapped during his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. Weidman also suffered a leg fracture against Uriah Hall at UFC 261 in April 2021—just three months before McGregor’s injury.

Instagram: thenotoriousmma

After the injury, Weidman secured just one win in three before retiring after UFC 310 in 2024 following his defeat to Eryk Anders. Weidman noted that while McGregor has had ample time to heal, the first “real” kick taken on that leg in the Octagon will be a psychological struggle. 

“I was fine in training, but when I got into the actual first fight since that leg injury, I was getting kicked, and as soon as I went to throw my kick back — because that was always the instinct, you get kicked, you kick back — I just couldn’t do it. My body wouldn’t let me do it. It’s just crazy when you go through a traumatic injury like that, how it can affect your head,” Weidman said 

The Reality

Instagram: thenotoriousmma

A leg fracture of this magnitude often changes how a fighter moves. Anderson Silva, the first major UFC fighter to suffer this injury, famously lost the aggressive, fluid kicking game that defined his prime. He became more of a stationary counter-puncher. McGregor’s movement has already transitioned from the “bouncy” karate-style of his 145-lb days to a flat-footed, heavy-boxing style. The injury likely cements this change, making him a more static target for opponents.

By July 2026, McGregor will have been away from high-level competition for nearly five years. In the UFC, five years is an eternity; the sport evolves, and “ring rust” is a documented phenomenon where a fighter’s timing and spatial awareness degrade. McGregor has faced numerous delays, including a 2024 toe injury and a recent 18-month anti-doping suspension that only ended in March 2026.

Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com.