Charles Oliveira Has Written Off Conor McGregor—Is the Irishman Done for Good?

Conor McGregor’s star power in the UFC is undeniable, but for Charles Oliveira, the former lightweight champion is no longer a blip on his radar. Oliveira, who boasts an impressive record of 35-10 (23-10 in the UFC), spent years calling for a showdown with McGregor, eager to test himself against one of the sport’s biggest names. Now, the Brazilian fighter has shifted his stance entirely, questioning whether McGregor will ever step back into the octagon—or if he’s even relevant as an opponent for anyone anymore.

McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) hasn’t competed since July 2021, when he suffered a gruesome leg break in a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier. His anticipated comeback fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024 fell apart after he pulled out due to a broken pinky toe. Chandler, tired of waiting, moved on and faced Oliveira at UFC 309 instead, where Oliveira emerged victorious by unanimous decision. For Oliveira, that chapter with McGregor seems permanently closed.

“To be honest, I don’t know why people are still talking about Conor McGregor,” Oliveira said in an interview with online sportsbook Oddspedia. “He has done everything he wanted to do in the sport, and now he chooses to live his life the way he is living. We were waiting for his return, and Michael Chandler was waiting for about two years, but he didn’t show up. I think the fans should forget about Conor McGregor coming back. He isn’t going to fight again.”

McGregor’s absence from the cage only fuels Oliveira’s skepticism. The 36-year-old Irishman has been busy outside of fighting, recently dipping his toes into politics by meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on St. Patrick’s Day “to raise the issues the people of Ireland face.” Add to that a string of legal troubles—including an Irish civil jury finding him liable for sexually assaulting Nikita Hand months ago and a separate lawsuit in the U.S. alleging sexual battery at a 2023 NBA Finals game in Miami—and McGregor’s return to the UFC feels more distant than ever.

Is Oliveira right? Has McGregor’s time in the sport truly come to an end? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and check out Oliveira’s full interview with Oddspedia for more insight into his take on the McGregor saga.