Former UFC double-champ Conor McGregor has hilarious interaction with NBA star

Conor McGregor joined in on the fun during an NBA game between the Utah Jazz and Milwaukee Bucks
(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Former UFC double-champion Conor McGregor is doing everything but fighting.

McGregor Sizes Up Brook Lopez During NBA Game

Whether it's cutting promos for BKFC, presidential inaugurations, or otherwise, McGregor has not set foot in the Octagon in nearly four years. It remains unknown if he'll decide to return to combat sports, but he's having fun for now.

Former UFC double-champ Conor McGregor has hilarious interaction with NBA star
March 8, 2024; Austin TX; Conor McGregor speaks to press on the red carpet before the premiere of Roadhouse at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas. / [NETWORK PROPERTY]-USA TODAY NETWORK

McGregor, not particularly known for being a prominent celebrity at U.S.-based sporting events, was seen courtside at an NBA game between the Utah Jazz and Milwaukee Bucks Monday night. Although the Bucks prevailed 125-110 to improve to 8-2 in their last 10 games, it was McGregor who stole the show.

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Minutes before halftime and with the Bucks ahead 52-46, McGregor took a moment to greet the giant that is 7-foot-1 center Brook Lopez.

Although it is unclear what the pair said to each other, it's apparent both of them had a commical interaction.

No UFC Return In Sight For "The Notorious"

McGregor has been linked to several fights since a gruesome leg injury halted his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier. Most notably, McGregor was scheduled to finally fight Michael Chandler after the pair coached TUF 31 against each other in the spring of 2023.

Former UFC double-champ Conor McGregor has hilarious interaction with NBA star
Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler shake hands on the set of "The Ultimate Fighter." / (via Zuffa LLC)

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It didn't happen, as the would-be UFC 303 main event between the two was postponed last June. Chandler would go on to rematch former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, losing by unanimous decision after nearly having a heroic fifth-round comeback.

The fight has not been rescheduled, as UFC CEO Dana White has dismissed mentioning both names in the same sentence, much less teasing the possible rebooking. White has stated in several interviews that if McGregor were to fight, it would be near the end of the year.

Former UFC double-champ Conor McGregor has hilarious interaction with NBA star
Jul 10, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Conor McGregor reacts after suffering an injury in his loss to Dustin Poirier during UFC 264 at T-Mobile Arena. / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

That said, the UFC has rolled on without the Irish superstar with little issue, hosting weekly events all but 10 weeks out of the year and seeing several stars emerge in McGregor's hiatus – two of them being Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev and Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira.

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For now, McGregor's MMA career continues its in-limbo trajectory with no end in sight.

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Zain Bando
ZAIN BANDO

Zain Bando is a writer for MMA Knockout, part of the Sports Illustrated/Minute Media umbrella. He has covered combat sports since 2019 for notable outlets BJPenn.com and FanSided MMA. He also co-hosts a podcast called "The MMA Outsiders," part of the Empty The Bench Podcast Network, which airs Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT. A Chicago suburban native, Bando has been enthralled with MMA since 2006 and has been fortunate to attend some of the most high-profile events in the sport's history, both as a fan and media member, including UFC 264, Bellator 297 and Kayla Harrison's PFL MMA debut. He is excited to take the next step in his combat sports writing journey and looks forward to continuing his following of the fight game for years to come. Bando can be reached via email at zainbando99@gmail.com or by social media @zainbando99