Charles Oliveira's manager delivers harsh reality check on Conor McGregor's fighting future

It's been well over three years since "The Notorious" stepped into the cage.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

There’s no shortage of people in the combat sports community wondering if Conor McGregor will ever compete in the UFC again.

Conor McGregor vs. Charles Oliveira?

A former two-division champion and the biggest star in UFC history, McGregor hasn’t stepped into the Octagon since a leg injury ended his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier after the opening round at UFC 264 back in 2021.

Alex Pereira details fight talks with Jon Jones, comments on Tom Aspinall matchup

The Irishman was scheduled to return against his opposing The Ultimate Fighter coach Michael Chandler in the main event of UFC 303 last June. A toe injury forced McGregor out of the fight, and as of yet there’s been no concrete plans made for the 36-year-old to return in 2025.

Charles Oliveira's manager delivers harsh reality check on Conor McGregor's fighting future
Jul 10, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Conor McGregor is carried off a stretcher following an injury suffered against Dustin Poirier during UFC 264 at T-Mobile Arena. / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

“The Notorious” has been largely occupied with lawsuits and his part-ownership of BKFC as of late, and one prominent combat sports figure that doesn’t expect McGregor to fight again is Charles Oliveira’s coach and manager Diego Lima.

Charles Oliveira's manager delivers harsh reality check on Conor McGregor's fighting future
Jun 9, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; MMA fighter Conor McGregor during halftime in game four of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets at Kaseya Center. / Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

“There’s no reason to bark up the wrong tree, I honestly don’t believe anymore,” Lima told MMA Fighting regarding a McGregor vs. Oliveria matchup. “When he achieved everything he could and became the highest-paid athlete in the world, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo, [Lionel] Messi, Floyd Mayweather and every NFL and NBA player, he got to a point where no one imagined a MMA fighter would ever get.”

‘They Call It The Ultimate Fighter,’ Dark Side of the Cage Ep. 4 Preview

"I Don't Believe He Fights Again"

There’s still no shortage of fighters on the UFC roster that are eager for a chance to welcome McGregor back to the Octagon, but the Irishman’s fame and wealth have led Lima and plenty of others to question if the former two-division champion has the drive necessary to return to the UFC.

Charles Oliveira's manager delivers harsh reality check on Conor McGregor's fighting future
Conor McGregor speaks to press on the red carpet before the premiere of Road House at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas. / Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

“You don’t train with the same hunger, you don’t have the same focus,” Lima continued. “And maybe he’s not wrong. He’s reached something many considered unreachable. Honestly, I don’t believe he fights again. ‘Oh, but what if he does fight again?’ Then we would be discussing what ifs. Would that be cool? Of course it would. Of course that Charles wants to fight him. But there’s no point discussing it because, in my opinion, he doesn’t fight anymore. He’s not an option right now.”

One of the most popular fighters on the UFC roster and a former lightweight champion, Oliveira suffered a split decision loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 but rebounded with a win over Chandler in November after the latter fighter gave up on waiting for his promised fight with McGregor.

Charles Oliveira's manager delivers harsh reality check on Conor McGregor's fighting future
Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Charles Oliveira (red gloves) fights Michael Chandler (blue gloves) in the lightweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Khamzat Chimaev makes huge promise to UFC fans ahead of Dricus du Plessis fight

Tsarukyan was scheduled to meet UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 before withdrawing due to an injury on weigh-in day. UFC CEO Dana White indicated after the event that the #1 contender will have to work his way back to a title fight, and Oliveira has been actively campaigning for a rematch with Makhachev since then.

More UFC & MMA News

• Former MMA double-champ Aung La N Sang gets Shamil Erdogan rematch at ONE 171: Qatar

• Eddie Alvarez shares X-Ray of Broken Jaw from Jeremy Stephens fight at KnuckleMania V

• "Fighting Nerds" star meets lightweight vet on Pereira vs. Ankalaev card at UFC 313

• Ex-hockey player in 'great spirits' after terrifying BKFC knockout goes viral

Stick with MMA Knockout for more daily coverage of the UFC, MMA, and Boxing.

Follow MMA Knockout on TwitterInstagram and Facebook.


Published
Drew Beaupre
DREW BEAUPRE

Drew is an MMA writer that regularly watches regional events in addition to major promotions such as the UFC, PFL, Bellator, and ONE Championship. He joined MMA Knockout when it was founded in 2023.